View source for 1927/Aftermath of Nocturi

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/09/11
|Location=Waldians Home
|Synopsis=The Waldians regroup, and try to figure out who their enemies really are. Also? Kittens!
|Cast of Characters=29,5,124
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Depending on how one wants to look at it, the fight with Nocturi's swan-construct was either a draw or a victory. In moral terms, it can be seen as a win: They stopped the attack where lightning was raking crowds.<br /> <br />In other terms, it's a draw at best. Both sides limped away with varying degrees of damage, and Rune in particular was too rattled to seriously consider chasing their mysterious new foe. Nocturi hadn't even offered a name, leaving only a few clues as to the most broad aspects of her identity.<br /> <br />Still, the battle had been... painful, frightening, but not disabling. Rune had enough sense to check on Fate, and to call their driver to bring the pair home. He wasn't exactly delighted to make a very late-night pickup like this, but when his client is almost always polite and always pays well... he has learned to live with it.<br /> <br />Thus the hired limo drops them off back at their home on Earth, and it's only once it's gone that Rune feels at liberty to once again show the limp she has developed after the fight, speaking while heading for the door. "I know what you're probably thinking," she offers to Fate as a guess: "And no, I haven't seen her before in my entire life. Not once. I have no idea why she's attacking people, and then coming after me and then you too. I just... you're okay, right?" Her 'narrative' faltered near the end, concern starting to slightly override fright and frustration.

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate isn't sure what to think about the fight. On the one hand, they did save some people, and both get to walk away from it. (Limping is still walking, right?) On the other hand Rune is really hurt and they didn't exactly gain a lot of information.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As she steps out of the limo, she follows Runealy towards the house. She hears what the princess says, and while it does pre-empt a lot of questions, it doesn't really provide the kinds of answers that Fate is looking for. Well, it's not as if Runealy has any answers either.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm fine," says Fate. She wasn't the primary target of the attack. The princess was. Her barrier jacket did take a few hits, but that's what barrier jackets are for. As much as she tried to shield Runealy, she kept being circumvented one way or another.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We're almost there. I don't know what to tell the others, if they're awake, but they should know that we have more than one enemy to look out for."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate winces, and then looks up at Rune. "At least now we know the buddy system works?"

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Valeria has learned something amazing. That the Waldian's have a sweet TV is no surprise, their home an eclectic mix of the old and the new, but what wasn't known until just tonight was that it's a 'Smart TV'. That's what buying top of the line, highest-possible-tech can get you when you're absurdly wealthy, the size of the TV and clarity of it's screen having been the things Valeria thought they had gotten for their money.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She had been idly Googling their household appliances, as she is sometimes wont to do, when she learned this fact. Cue several minutes of trying to talk to it excitedly as if it was Bardiche, only going back to the online manual after this failed so miserably.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At least no one was at home to see it.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soon, though, she found the true power of a Wi-Fi connected Smart TV.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sometime into her exploration of this wonder she receives a text message from Bardiche, informing her that Fate and Runealy are returning from combat and injured, and all of these trivialities are momentarily forgotten. The lavender haired girl is soon a frenzy of activity, putting on hot tea, because that can be comforting, and preparing bandages and ointments, not knowing quite what to expect.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate and Rune can almost make it to the door before it opens, Valeria standing there with slightly widened eyes and soon rushing out upon noticing the Princess' limp, "Rune! Fate! Are you two alright? Bardiche warned me you might be hurt." Soon she's looking carefully over Runealy, fussing for a moment or two before offering to help her walk and take weight off her limping leg, unsure for now just how injured she is.

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Determining what's specifically wrong with Rune is hard, as she continues her way to the door. "Yeah... though we've always had 'more than one', the problem is we just don't know how many, and now we've got... some small idea of why they're doing this. Not much of one, but..."<br /> <br />Aside from the limp, she shows no visible /wounds./ Some bumps and scrapes from falling or smashing into things, but most of the hits she took were from electricity so it won't be obvious to the eye what's wrong. She's quick to accept Vale's help though, glad to accept an arm toward the couches or wherever else Valeria wants to steer her. "We're okay, but we've got a problem. We're not the only ones here on Earth. ...Not the only people from back home, I mean. At least, that's one of the two explanations for who we just ran in to!" The thought of this still has her heart pounding, and she speaks with tiny gasps in her words.

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To be fair, Fate would have tried to talk to the TV too.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Some small idea. Well, the strange lady did say a few things. She sounded like she was mad at Runealy for being on another planet instead of dealing with her world's problems. Still, it seems as if Rune's dad would say something if things were that bad?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The door opens, and Fate weakly smiles up at Valeria. She's glad to be home, but they're in sorry shape.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We got into a fight. It was some kind of giant bird, and it shot red lightning at us. It seemed to belong to someone from Waldia."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate glances at Runealy, and then back at Valeria. For a planet that doesn't know about magic, Earth seems to have a lot of visitors from other worlds.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She didn't say a lot to us. She ran away and we decided not to chase her.

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Valeria is quick to take whatever weight Runealy puts on her arm, and does indeed steer Runealy towards the couch. The lack of any visible damage is confusing, but the harm caused by whatever unseen maladies there are is visible enough. Fate's comment explains it all, "Lightning!" She looks as if a veil is pulled from her eyes and she offers the small girl a relieved smile, "Thank you, Fate. That will make treatment much easier." She settles Runealy down onto the couch, completely forgetting for the moment about the TV.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Upon it plays a farcical display of fuzzy kittens, all chasing after a single ball nearly as large as they are, pouncing upon it sometimes in turn and others all at once. One particularly silly kitten lays in wait until one of it's siblings has flopped onto it's back, jumping up with an outstretched tail before pouncing down playfully upon the other's tummy. The TV is muted, and after a minute a rotating icon appears, followed by a video of a black and white cat chasing wildly after a red dot.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes, Valeria has learned to Autoplay cat videos from Youtube on the TV.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a frown at the mention of the attacker belonging to Waldia, "And she was not the Nightshade Serpent? Why these people are showing up now..." She stops herself and shakes her head, "But had they come earlier, it would have been far worse." There's a brief flash of light and Valeria once more dons her henshin, lightly placing a gauntleted hand back onto Runealy's shoulder. Soon a light glow of yellow will envelop her and ease the pain, mitigating and eventually repairing the damage done by the red lightning. How effective it is depends on how long Runealy allows the process to continue. Being her own element, however, it is perhaps a bit easier for Guardian Vale to repair the damage done by lightning, familiar enough herself with it's specific method of destruction.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"There is tea ready on the stove if either of you would like," she quietly notes while focusing upon her task. A soft look is given to Fate; she hasn't seemed terribly injured herself, but the silent offer of rejuvenation is there nonetheless.

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Has to be someone from our world," Rune adds to Fate's explanation while sagging onto a couch. "The question is... is it an actual person, or some demon pretending to be one? They can do that, after all." As has been evidenced by a few times demons have operated in human disguise to get closer to one or more of them here in Tokyo before attacking.<br /> <br />"Because if she's a real person, what she's talking about doesn't make any sense. We /should/ be here, there's no real problems back home." This is an unfair view, but one made from ignorance rather than any real dismissal of issues. "Honestly, we need to be here. If we don't stand with Sailors and Puella Magi and Akashimaru and everyone else to stop all these groups attacking Earth, we'll be standing alone when they decide they want to destroy our world next. I'd think anyone back home would understand that, so... maybe 'she' is a demon after all, trying to confuse us?" It's a guess, her unconfident tone is definitely undermining the conclusion.<br /> <br />"And yeah... it was lightning." Rune easily backs up Fate's confirmation, sitting mostly still while Valeria works and having no problem with being handled for treatment in the meantime. "Some sort of monster... swan... /thing/ came at us, then returned to someone who wouldn't give us her name. She just yelled at us for being on 'this foreign planet' and ran off. We didn't chase... pretty sure Fate could have handled it, but there's no way I would have. So we came back here, and... yeah, tea in a minute sounds good, once you're done." A tiny nod and, "Thanks," follows.

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate nods at Valeria, and then turns her attention to the TV as she walks into the room. For a good moment she forgets about the pain of combat and is watching cute kittens play. She's not quite in the mood to laugh, but she does crack a small smile. Even with what just happened, they're home, and Fate really does feel safe here.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It only makes sense to fight on this planet. I think it needs all of us, especially if Waldia doesn't have any big problems." Wine red eyes tear away from kittens and turn their serious gaze to the princess. "If it's a demon, that's all the more reason to stop it as soon as we can. Even if she wasn't a demon herself, maybe a demon is involved in all of this?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maybe Fate could have handled the thing by herself, but... no. She shakes her head. "Maybe I could, but it wasn't worth the risk. Especially since the swan seemed immune to much of my magic."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tea is mentioned, and Fate would like some. After hearing that Runealy wants some too, and seeing that her and Vale are busy, the small mage says, "I'll get it!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She vanishes into the kitchen for a while to pour a few teacups.

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is one problem back home that Valeria can see, though it's not one she's going to insert into the conversation. It isn't only Runealy who would be mourning the loss of Queen Lene, and though she trusts the King to steer Waldia in it's time of loss there's no denying that the assassination of a beloved leader is a real, true problem that everyone has to consider and face.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still, that's not a reason for anyone to be upset with Runealy over, not when the people know the lengths she went to in order to restore the Barrier. Any right minded Waldian would completely understand returning to Earth to give back to the people who helped save their world when the Barrier was so weak as to allow a Demon to slip through and attack the Princess while she attempted to restore it. ...right?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's also another thing that doesn't completely sit right with her. "It does make sense for a demon to try and confuse us. But they're usually so... brutal about it. Lying and saying they've killed more of your family, or other terrible things like that. Did she say something like that?"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A slight frown shows then as Fate notes the swan seemed immune to her magic, and given the red lightning it's not hard to guess which parts of it. It would flow naturally then that her own lightning would be near useless; it's nowhere near as strong as Fate's. Well, at least the healing seems to be happening at a fair pace. The pain should mostly be gone, replaced with the soothing feeling of relief, and soon even stiffness might fade. If Runealy allows her Valeria will flow naturally from healing her physical wounds to restoring her energy, not seeing any good reasons to leave the job half finished.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I think you made the right call," she agrees with both Fate and Runealy, "it is much more important that the two of you return home safely. We can investigate further later, and we can do it better healthy and refreshed." A moment later she's smiling and calling, "Thank you!" to Fate before giving Runealy a smile. There are some things to be happy about these days, at least.

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Immune to most, but not all of it. You were doing just as good as I was, and that was enough to drive that thing off. We almost had it, really... if I'd been a few seconds faster on realizing what you were doing. Didn't even know you /could/ do that thing of turning your lightning into rings to hold someone!" Definitely news to the princess, if a pleasant surprise.<br /> <br />Her peripheral vision briefly turns to the TV, though the sight of what's on right now is only of modest help. She's still rattled, but calm enough that her voice no longer has little waverings and trembling to it.<br /> <br />Nonetheless, Rune's voice raises to carry on the discussion so Fate can hear it from the kitchen. "I'm sure a demon, or even more than one demon, is behind all this. The problem is thinking that /people/ are involved too. I've been going over that in my head, and... it doesn't make sense. People don't have reasons to team up with demons. They want us all dead, and going along with them is really not in anyone's interest. I don't even want to think about it, because it would mean we have some group of..." She's searching for the word, and comes up with: "Traitors. A group of traitors back home. That's ridiculous, though."<br /> <br />Then Vale's suggestions bring an edge of anger to Rune. She doesn't lash out, and she's not mad /at/ Valeria, but even these valid and important questions have hit a nerve. "No. Nothing even close to that. She just said I make her sick, being on Earth instead of back home. Then she ran off." Combined with Vale's efforts, she's now sitting properly upright on the couch. Tense, but her physical condition is definitely improving... and Rune notices it enough to calm down a little and add a "Thank you, that's a lot better." It still stings some, but the princess no longer looks half-wrecked.

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It isn't that long before Fate is returning with a tray of tea cups and corresponding saucers. Three of them, because she forgot to ask if Valeria wanted one and so poured for her just in case. While she didn't say much while she was in the kitchen, she did hear the conversations since voices were raised for her sake.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's true. She wasn't completely immune. Lightning bind did work on her, and it gave us time to finish the fight."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate sets down the tray and distributes teacups around the table in front of the couch so that Runealy and Valeria can both reach theirs. "I don't understand why anyone would want to side with a demon. They're big, scary and they say mean things. They're so dangerous, so why? They have to be a bigger threat than anything you might be doing by being here."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate sits down on the couch. While she isn't that bad off, she did get hit by that lightning. She sips from her teacup, looking back up at Valeria.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"it's hard to imagine that anyone but a demon would benefit from that barrier falling, or from your death. Even if they were unhappy about things on Waldia, I can't imagine how targeting you would make anything better for them."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She tilts her head at Valeria and smiles. "Thank you! I wouldn't know what to do if any of us got seriously hurt."

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seeing Runealy tense up at her suggestion of demons normally repulsive acts, Valeria is glad she didn't voice her opinion on things that might be wrong back on Waldia. That isn't the kind of one-two punch to the emotions that the Princess needs right now.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Using lightning to hold onto someone? That ''is'' impressive," Valeria agrees. It's not the sort of thing she'd ever have come up with herself. Then she has to unfortunately agree with Runealy's sentiment, "That's true. If she was controlling some kind of monster we shouldn't rule out a demon's influence."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The idea of traitors makes Valeria blink in surprise, followed by a frown settling onto her face. It's not something she likes the idea of at all. The idea that people would turn against the Royal Family is almost ridiculous considering the importance of their position, literally keeping an army of demons from destroying everything. And yet...<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And yet haven't they seen something so very similar here, on Earth? Valeria herself hadn't witnessed much, if any of it, but the records are all there on HeartNET. "There are people like that, here on Earth." Her voice is quiet, almost subdued. "Those that give themselves to forces of darkness beyond the ability of their minds to fully grasp, seeking power and revenge. If a Waldian stumbled through the portal and found themselves here, they might get caught up in things they don't understand, be it a demon or something else."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Runealy thanks her the Guardian Knight looks up and smiles. Her grip lightens, enough so that even the lightest shrug will let the Princess break contact whenever she wishes, having taken the comment as a partial dismissal.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate comes back and brings three cups of tea rather than two. "Thank you, that's very kind of you to remember me as well. I made tea for the two of you but I think I would enjoy a cup myself." She reaches over towards the teacup and pauses in an almost comical fashion. Metal gauntlets are rather interesting to deal with, when it comes to such delicate things. There's some perhaps comical trial and error, but eventually she gets a grip before taking a careful sip of tea before setting it back down upon her saucer. That done she holds her hand out to Fate, intending to offer her the same healing she now administers to Runealy, having noticed the small signs of pain.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No, no it does not," she agrees. "I can hardly imagine someone from Waldia could benefit from any of that. To truly make a deal with a demon though, I have to think they'd be so out of their mind they weren't thinking clearly in the first place." Anyone who deals with demons probably doesn't have much reasoning behind their thought, or so Valeria would think.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The same thing as you've done tonight; come home and bring them to me, or call me so I can come to them," she replies to Fate while returning her smile. It isn't so much instruction as an understated 'good job'.

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"There's not even much reason to be unhappy," Rune reaches for her tea with an aside "Thanks, Fate" before returning to this point. "Sure, bad things happen. People lose their house to a flood or things like that, but when it does... the community has your back. Either we have programs in place to make sure you're taken care of by royal assets, or people in your town take care of it. I've seen some of that same support from people here in Tokyo, but I'd like to think we take it even further than they do." It's a point of pride on the princess' part. "So I'm going with 'demons in disguise' until, or /if/, someone can actually show otherwise. Nothing else fits what we know right now!"<br /> <br />However, despite her agitation... Rune is not breaking off from Valeria's work; she went back to holding still once the tea was taken, letting her proceed. Agitation turns to shock and confusion when Valeria offers another possibility, however. "You're suggesting someone got past the portal guards," This is actually plausible, and has happened before. Her sentence pauses as Valeria steps away, relaxing on the couch and taking a brief drink before continuing: "Then got... what, talked into something or forced into it, by one of this world's monsters? It's possible, I guess... makes more sense than someone /agreeing/ to work with demons. We'll have to look into it!"

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate remains blissfully unaware of any problems back on Waldia. After all, all she really has to go on is what Rune says, and if the princess doesn't know then how could she?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Using lightning to hold someone? "It's something like that, yeah."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"When she recalled that monster, it looked like it became part of her after running to her," observes Fate, mostly for Vale's sake. Rune was there. "Whatever that was, it looked wrong, and she was hurting people."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Valeria starts talking about people on Earth who would do that, who would embrace dark powers that they don't understand, and maybe even have trouble escaping it. It doesn't take her long for her thoughts to lead to her own actions, and maybe even Runealy's back when they didn't know each other that well.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate grins brightly at Vale's polite response, and at Runealy's thanks. "It was nothing!" she says cheerfully. Then she blinks and watches, as Valeria tries to maneuver and handle a tea cup while wearing gauntlets.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When the hand is offered, Fate puts down her cup and takes it, because she didn't leave that fight unscathed even if she's mostly okay.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It might be that they're crazy. Darkness alters your mind, makes you see things that aren't there. You think you're becoming stronger, but you start to lose control over yourself."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate giggles and kicks her legs in response to Valeria, saying, "Yup! I will! If they're in trouble I can carry them back."

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If someone is truly in need the community should circle their shields to protect them," comes an agreeing comment from Valeria. "That isn't to say tragedy's don't occur, but when people are unable to provide for themselves the only proper thing to do is assist them." The idea that someone might turn down such assistance is completely foreign to Valeria; it's simply not in her consideration at all.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When the portal guards are mentioned the Guardian Knight looks sheepish, "Ah, that's true. It would be considerably easier for a demon to sneak or fight their way past the guards. Still, it isn't impossible." She made it through, after all. And demons obviously had as well. How many others there might be is impossible to know.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She doesn't have many answers to why anyone would agree to work with demons, or another evil creature that may or may not be native to Earth itself. Such reasoning is beyond her, especially when it might result in turning against the Crown.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It looked wrong, and she hurt people..." Guardian Vale speaks to herself, repeating Fate's words. It seems even less Waldian, and yet that's what she seemed to be, decrying Runealy for being on Earth when her world was supposedly in need. Why would a Waldian hurt another when there was nothing to gain? Perhaps there was something important in those actions, but Valeria certainly can't see any.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It was thoughtful and polite," Valeria 'corrects' in a soft tone, making sure Fate is properly praised for right and good actions. Soon Fate too is surrounded by the yellow aura, magic healing and soothing her wounds, working to restore the energy that was used up in battle. It feels warm and comfortable, taking quickly away the deepest aches of seared flesh.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It certainly sounds crazy," she says with a slight sigh, "Lightning birds and confusing, ridiculous accusations. If it is a demon intending to perplex us I'm afraid to say it might be succeeding, at least for the moment." She doesn't say it aloud, but don't demons usually intend to terrify and torment rather than merely confuse?<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's hard to stay too terribly gloomy with Fate acting as she is, though, and the lavender haired Guardian Knight finds herself laughing softly, not unlike when she was watching those amusing cat videos earlier. "In that case I'll be counting on you!"

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"That's right, it did kind of combine back with her after a while... I didn't even know she was there at all until that happened." Rune looks puzzled as Fate reminds her of this detail; it's true, but it's still unusual. Reminders of what dark energy can do to one's thoughts also trouble her, drawing a brief head lowering and 'nhn' noise. "It might even be true in the very short term, but after that... I don't know. And it's sure not worth the risk. I've heard some stories of people dying the very first time they try using that kind of power."<br /> <br />However, Fate has brought up another point and this one is a brighter one that brings the princess' gaze back to her friends. "It's true, she actually can carry people. It's neat, she's about the third person I've had a 'ride' from like that, and just as nice as the other times. Really makes me wish I could fly too, and do things like that. So she can do it both for fun, and" A nod over to Vale, "For things like this. You should try it both ways, I bet it'd help!"

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Valeria's correction gets another giggle from Fate. Vale sure is being nice! As the yellow light washes over her, she starts to feel better almost immediately. From her wounds, it seems as if she was only really hit a few times, and the severity of each attack is less, too. The restoration of her energies is very welcome, especially since Fate wants to be combat ready at any time.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm not sure why they wouldn't explain themselves if they had a complaint. I don't know what they'd have to gain from keeping those secrets. If demons are involved, there might not ''be'' a reason, except maybe to make things harder on us.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So the kind of power that Runealy tried to use could have killed her outright? Fate grimaces as she thinks about that. In all honesty, there was a time when she thought that it ''did'' kill Runealy. "It just seems so impossible, to think that someone would risk death in order to attack the things that keep them alive.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then she remembers the 'ride' she gave Runealy and looks away. "That might have been a bit more rough than I intended. Sorry! We were kinda in a hurry." This time, her laughter is just a bit meek. "... but I can help that way, yeah."

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Guardian Knight quiets for several moments, making a soft hum as Runealy speaks about the dangers of dark energy. "Remind me again; is there any chance of someone stumbling upon the demon essence you had found?" She frowns thoughtfully, "Perhaps if someone used something such as that, not knowing the dangers, they could put themselves into a state that could confuse them enough to hurt people and lose touch with reality."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Mm, I must admit her flying is much more versatile than my gliding." Valeria's eyes turn to Fate and regard the small girl curiously, "She's certainly quicker than I could ever hope to be, even right after I jump." Her eyes then turn towards Runealy, "If you could it would be fun, and useful too."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks almost confused for a moment, tilting her head curiously. She thinks back to all the old stories of Queens past, but can't think of many instances of direct references to specific powers like that... usually vanquishing demon hordes is impressive enough! It's then that she realizes she'd mostly been filling in those blanks with what she knew of Queen Lene and Runealy's powers. "Have... have you ever tried, Rune? To fly? Or... well I suppose it's silly to just try to fly, but perhaps you could learn."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It does seem ridiculous that someone would have such complaints, seemingly of such strong a strong nature that it warrants direct attack. "Really, that does make it seem all the more like a demon. It seems absurd that a Waldian that would know exactly how important she was would attack Rune. Even if they were only trying to scare her into going home, which would never work anyway, harming her and making her more vulnerable to demons is a terrible choice."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As she speaks Valeria's healing energies continue to alleviate Fate's wounds and reinvigorate her, the Guardian Knight willing enough to top Fate completely up should she wish it. It will leave her feeling fatigued and winded, but she has no illusions on which of the two would be better off in full fighting condition if it came to suddenly needing to protect Runealy. Pride of the kind that would require has no place in someone so wholly devoted to protecting their friend and liege, or so she tells herself.

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Why are you apologizing?" Rune blinks a few times at Fate, puzzled. "It's a bit different than the other times someone has flown me around, but it worked fine. Probably going to try to use it again sometime, if you're up for it."<br /> <br />She nods over to Vale after that, but gestures to Fate with a free hand. "Could, would, should... but right now, she's the one who does that sort of thing. Sure, I've tried... but it's pretty much always something a Queen does, not a Princess. Queens fly. You're right about everything else though, it's not like we're turning around and going home while we've got problems here. It'd have to be really, really important for us to leave Tokyo while there are so many monsters around!"

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It might be like that," says Fate. "Maybe they didn't start off talking to demons direclty, or knowingly. Maybe they just slowly got caught up in it and now they're so confused they've forgotten what really matters."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate blinks. It wasn't really that rough? "Oh! Okay. Well I'd be more than happy to!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the subject of Rune learning flight, Fate tilts her head back and taps her chin. "I mean... if you were using Midchildian magic, teaching you would be easy. I don't know if Waldian magic can. Mostly all I know about it is what I've seen. Still, flight is really useful, and I rely on it a lot."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate doesn't need to be topped off that much, and she might actually want to go to sleep at a reasonable time, though she does take just enough that she thinks she could handle a surprise attack. After a moment she mutters a quiet, "Thank you," and pulls her hand back. That healing energy might be best used on someone more wounded, if there are limits on it.

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Queens fly but not Princesses? Coming from Runealy herself it's something that Valeria is able to accept rather easily. She kind of wonders what that says about a Guardian Princess, but keeps it to herself for now. To her other point Valeria nods, carefully reaching over to pick up the teacup with her free hand while continuing to heal Fate. "The people here have been good friends to us. If they need our help we really do need to do our best to help them." She smiles after a moment, "It's just like you were saying earlier, Rune. If someone needs help we give it to them, whether it's the heart or the shield they need."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate retracts her hand wisely, as being bursting full of energy would actually make it rather difficult to sleep. "I'm glad I could help," she replies, taking a seat in the couch. In a flash of glitter her henshin falls away from her, mid sip of tea. A corner of her mouth turns upwards; she wasn't sure she could pull that off.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A moment later a hand goes to her mouth and she laughs into it softly. Now facing the correct direction she realizes what she left the TV set to. Well, nothing wrong with watching playful and silly cats, right?

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia| (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Sometimes I think we're going to need both halves at this rate," Rune remarks to Vale's discussion of providing various kinds of help. "Still... at least we have /some/ idea of what's going on now, and we got away. The only thing that doesn't really make sense right now is why they'd attack a random crowd at night if the goal was to get at us. Well,"<br /> <br />She sags into her couch, taking in a bit more tea. "We've got time to think it through, at least. Just have to be careful from here on. Thanks again," a nod to Fate, then Vale, "Both of you."

:'''{{#var:5|Fate Testarossa| (5)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You've helped me a lot, Rune-chan. I don't mind helping you, too," says Fate. "It doesn't make a lot of sense, but maybe things will become more clear over time."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fate's eyes go back to the TV, and she starts giggling again, because kittens playing is cute!

:'''{{#var:124|Valeria Barun| (124)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If both is what's required both is what we'll give," Valeria replies with a smile. It's not like a proper Waldian to not help because it might be difficult, at least in her mind. The seemingly random attack does seem odd, though if she's perfectly honest with herself it's not the first time such things have happened.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"For now that's what's most important. You're both back home and safe, and we can work together to decide where to go from here." She looks over to Fate and smiles for a moment. It's good to see her becoming so accustomed to helping, and more importantly seeing her feeling happy and proud of herself for it.
}}