View source for 276/Black Cat, Black Mage, Sugar Rush

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/08/10
|Location=Plot Room #1
|Synopsis=A strange energy signature brings multiple peices of Eclipse to the woods to find an unexpected surprise!
|Cast of Characters=27, 47, 77, 98
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's the dead of night in the forest. A rickety structure made of branches covered in leaves sits next to a large boulder, much to large for the space and clearly recently arrived, not covered by any moss. Just outside the makeshift hut is a small campfire over which a rabbit is being spit roast, already skinned and cleaned. Sitting by the fire is a girl twelve years of age, looking like she's spent an involved day in the woods without having bathed, because it's the truth. It's easy to tell that the clothes she wears hang off of her, a size or two too large. Her hair has no ornamentation or style too it, instead simply falling pushed behind herself, her bangs have gotten long enough that they're starting to get in her eyes but not so long she can actually tuck them behind her ears.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Every now and then she reaches up to turn the stick which is stuck through the rabbit she's cooking, watching it carefully and waiting a bit impatiently for it to be ready.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;It will cook faster if you move it nearer to the fire, Master&gt; comes an ever cheerful voice from a kite shaped dark green gem on a golden chain around her neck, speaking with a gentrified Dixie accent. "But that'll make it all charred. You know I don't like the burnt parts, Bulwark." &lt;Oh Master, you'd be much happier if it were ready sooner. Why, you could just throw out those icky ol' charred pieces. You hardly need eat the whole thing.&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With a sigh the girl nods. "I know..." She gets up and stretches a bit before pushing one of the Y-shaped sticks holding up the one over the fire until it sinks down half a foot before going over and doing the same to the other.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sitting in the makeshift hut is a rather large collection of TSAB Intelligent and Storage Devices, all in various states of repair. Unbeknownst to the girl and her Intelligent Device the dampening field hiding them has fully failed, shining like a beacon to any magical sensors within the entire prefecture. Bulwark, in her sealed mode, can unfortunately not detect this and so the pair remains completely oblivious to the fact they're not ten feet away from what has recently become what is likely the most sought after magical destination in all of Japan.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Takashi Agera should be sleeping. But he's not. Spurred on by another recent defeat, and by a project long in the planning, he's up - working on two different laptops in his lab, rolling all across the room in a standard office chair, from one peice of equipment to another. Then his device does a thing which could politely be called 'going berzerk' as it tries to process the sudden mass of data.<br /><br />Takashi kicks himself off a counter and across the room to check the information from his beacons and the time it takes him to go from there to rushing down the strange space of Eclipse's halls is most accurately measured in nanoseconds. His phone is in his hand, and he's sending out a general message to Eclipse about the situation asking for backup. To Hannah, he sends a second message - 'This is either a trap, a gigantic waste of time, or I'm getting a promotion. Wanna come? Should be fun either way!' <br /><br />There's also the chance that each of these readings is a seperate mage - and that this is one of the most dangerous situations he could have walked into. Hence the general call for assistance. But no amount of danger could've kept Takashi from responding to this signal - it could be coming from within an active volcano.<br /><br />Hannah's response comes relatively quickly, and he stops by the Eclipse gym, (where else would she be?), already in his henshin, and together they head to a rendezvous point in the north edge of Mitakihara, to await the second response to his message - someone Takashi doesn't know, but who has the codename of Black Cat.<br /><br />While he waits, Riventon's excitement - and sheer impatience - is visible, and serves as a reminder of his actual age for the girl that knows him on the other side of his henshin.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hannah, after a distinctly rough week full of failure, beatings, and severely abusing her own health (and linker core!) with liquid evil, has quite a bit of frustration to work off. Thus she's been having her Familiar be her boxing partner. <br /><br /> WHAM! One big russian Familiar goes flying into a padded wall. She has /lots/ of frustration to work off. While Boris lays there all spinny-googly-eyed, Miss White pops in a lanyard into her ear. Grin. Type type type. <br /><br /> White-san txt: U even ned 2 ask? Gym! Better take me out 2 dinner if u get 1! <br /><br /> Today, Hannah's teasing /mercilessly/. <br /><br /> But soon enough she's down to business, a quick henshin and she's running alongside him as they meet at the meeting point. <br /><br /> He's pacing. It's almost cute. <br /><br /> "Hey, hey partner! I am excited too, but we need to do this right. Any idea what we are up against? Or are we going in blind?" <br /><br /> Then she smirks. "I could tell you stories about America while we wait if you are that impatient!" Grin. Cheesy backwoods stories he's probably heard a dozen times by now. <br /><br /> Even as she teases, she's wide-area-searching away.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Easter employees are known for working stupidly late hours.  Ikuto Tsukiyomi is no exception.  Though in this case, it's not really by choice.  If it was up to him he'd be skulking around the city, looking for something to do.  Intead?  He's leaping from roof to roof, heading to a rendezvous point with someone from Easter's parent corporation, Eclipse.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once Takashi's call for backup came through, Ikuto was immediately texted and told to be at a certain location for backup.  Probably because the forest environment would make it hard for anyone in a vehicle to get through.  Ikuto's particular set of abilities would make it easier to get through.  Time was of the essence.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ikuto knew it was also because Easter considered him expendable.  He was unruly, selfish, and tended to acted exactly like the cat he took the form of.  Easter's CEO had made his dislike of Ikuto quite clear in the past.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyway.  The Black Cat in question becomes visible over the roofs as he heads toward where Takashi and Hannah are.  He has taken the form of Black Lynx this evening, the tails of his shirt and the straps on his pants trailing behind him as he leaps down, light gleaming off the claws on his right wrist.  As he lands, he waves nonchalantly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...Yo."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Well, that was informal.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Euphemia, the girl cooking her dinner so late at night, continues to turn her roasting rabbit. Her stomach growls a little as the added intensity of the fire causes sizzling action across the surface of the meat, loud hisses and pops sounding out as what little fat there is in the lean meat fall into the fire.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Can't we just cook it with magic?" she complains, getting edgy both from hunger and because she can't stand standing or sitting there doing nothing but occasionally rotating a spit for very long. &lt;I'm not sure, Master. Have you leaned to cast fire spells since the last three times you tried?&gt; comes the playfully teasing response from her Device, monotone and slightly robotic but otherwise a surprisingly good speaker.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The girl puffs her cheeks out a little at being teased, "You know I haven't." It gives her something fun to think about though and suddenly she's laughing, spinning about in place and stepping away from the fire, "Wouldn't it be -fun- though? With Earth and Fire together we could cast spells with lava! Just imagine the look on peoples faces when I start throwing heavy, sticky lava all over the place."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;That'd be sure to put a tremor in their step, Master, but don't you think we'll give them enough of a scare already?&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hehe, you're right! We're such a good team we're sure to turn some heads." The cyan haired girl calms down for a short moment, taking in a breath and letting it out. "I'm really glad you're with me, Bulwark."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;And I'd be lost without you too, Master&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miss White's long range scans sweep the area, far enough off that Bulwark can't detect them while in Standby Mode. Miss White can sure detect Bulwark, however, an Intelligent Device currently with the only person not in the Eclipse party for a wide area. If the scan is detailed enough she'll easily be able to detect Euphemia as a Mage. Near the girl is a treasure trove. 'Promotion' seems the most likely outcome of Riventon's three guesses, as neatly stacked together is that neatly arranged pile of Midchildan Devices, each of these also registering as being in Standby Mode.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Were they active they'd likely constitute an attack battalion.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon side-eyes the shadow cat with the big claw. "Do you know this one?" he asks Hannah, a bit confused. But the big claw indicates that at least he knows how to handle himself. So hopefully, he'll at least not be a burden in what Riventon suspects is going to be one hell of a confrontation. "Yo, yourself." he adds, to Ikuto.<br /><br />"This is probably going to be one huge mess. There's a bunch of readings - big readings, lots of magical junk - to the forest in the north. If we want to be the first ones there, we need to be there now. So Ms. White and I are going to transport us there - I don't sense a device on you, so just hang out for the ride.<br /><br /> He shares the coordinates with Ms. White (and Raging Tempest) and the two of them open a large magic circle.<br /><br />Moments (and likely commentary)later, they're shifted to just outside Euphemia's little camp. Riventon, ready for a confrontation, is charging orbs of negative energy in each hand. Between that and the presence of the two devices, there's not much of a sneak attack that'll work here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Ikuto's appearance as a /cat/ has her grinning. There's that casual greeting she'd expect, and Miss White offers her usual cheery wave. She too, despite earlier teasing, looks excited. <br /><br /> "Hey there little kitty!" Wink! Then she turns to Riv. <br /><br /> "Yup! He's my part-time trash man. Trash cat. Trash magical boy. You get the idea!" <br /><br /> <br /><br /> She throws a few jabs in the air. "You ready!? Because it looks like we have a treasure trove out there." Agrees Hannah with Riventon's assessment. She shares her data with the other two as coordinates are similarly shared. <br /><br /> "One target, and...yeeeeeesh. A /lot/ of Devices. I mean a /lot/. This kid trying to equip an army or something!?" <br /><br /> Reeeeach! She'll try to lean in, and give one of those kitty ears a nice, hard scritch! Rub rub rub rub! She giggles all the while. She /loves/ cats and dogs. <br /><br /> But then it's back to business. <br /><br /> "No way even a half-arsed mage could miss a spell like that. Stealth's out, I will do my usual partner. If-and-or-when it goes belly up, back me up, 'kay?" She lays out her end of the plan tot he two, then she sets her Device to work. Wind and blackness whisk them all away. Miss White, her golden knuckles clenched in her fist, Device clearly visible in them, walks out from behind the tree with a smile on her face. It's a little cocky, a little friendly, and a /lot/ hungry for the Devices laying there. <br /><br /> "Hey there kiddo! Weird for someone to be out here all on their lonesome, chewing on rabbit with a pile of magical devices beside them. You find all those yourself?" Questions the woman, tone all jovial. Even her stance might look casual, but to those who are used to combat, her entire body is coiled like a spring, and her Device lets off whisps of emerald green magic...now tinted with darkness at the edges. Her magic feels different, even tinged with corruption. Riventon would likely be able to guess why. <br /><br /> "Oh, but where /are/ my manners? Miss White! Pleasure's all mine!" Grin! <br /><br /> Being nice to people is a good way to throw them off guard.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ikuto doesn't bother answering Takashi's question.  It was posed to Hannah anyway.  That said, he's not moving to attack Takashi with that giant claw, so there's that.  He's got his attention elsewhere, though-- namely looking towards their destination-- when Hannah reaches up for an earscritch.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ikuto's eyes widen; he didn't expect that!  Though right after that his eyes immediately lid... just for a moment.  Then he seems to remember where he is and quickly straightens, reaching up with his un-clawed hand to push Hannah's hand away.  His ears lay back in irritation, and he looks at least a little ticked.  Also he may or may not be blushing.  "Hey.  Stop it."  Clearly she wouldn't do that if she didn't know him, so... apparently she does.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Suddenly there is a weird teleporting and they... arrive?  He supposes.  Well, either way, they're nearer the disturbance.  Stealth-impossible or not, Ikuto leaps up into the lower branches of a tree.  He feels better when he's higher up, so he can see what's going on.  Also looking down on the world gives him a bit of a sense of superiority.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a sweet moment where all is still and quiet. A crackling fire and a little hut, a girl and her Device sharing a quiet moment of shared devotion and friendship.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A wide magical circle appears just outside her camp.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It has been quite the while since Euphemia has seen that happen when she wasn't casting it herself, but she immediately knows what it is. &lt;Dimensional Transport in progress, Master.&gt; sounds Bulwark in as alarmed a tone as she can create. "I know!" comes the response, and the girl quickly backs up several steps and puts the fire between herself and the magic circle- as if that'd do anything to protect her.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Riventon appears with a pair of dark magical orbs held in each hands and it's impossible to think of them as anything but a readied attack.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Prepare!&gt;<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Intelligent Device does not hesitate, immediately preparing to change into Device Mode and put up Euphemia's barrier jacket.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wait! Not yet!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The girl, however, is of a different mind for once. "Are you from the Time Space Administration Bureau?" she asks, a certain edge to her voice.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She almost wishes she had just followed Bulwark's lead when Miss White steps forward and introduces herself, her understated aggression read loud and clear. "No. No, you're not from TSAB at all." Her reaction is... odd. The aggression and show of power annoys her, but at the same time she's relieved it isn't members of her father's old Employer that found her.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If Miss White is still scanning and her scans are ground penetrating she'll detect human remains five or six feet below the large boulder. The rock is a grave marker, though there's no magical loot to find down there.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She meets bravado with bravado, lifting her chin a little now that the initial shock of their arrival is over. "Mostly I did, but I also had some help for the last of them. Didn't I?" &lt;You sure did, Master.&gt; A small show of force, speaking with her Device like that, to show she isn't as helpless as she might appear.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She turns her head towards the hut, where the cache lays inside, and then back to Miss White, since she's the one speaking. "I know what you're after, so you can drop the bullying routine."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her eyes go to Raging Tempest, and then to Black Lynx up in the tree, and then to Riventon and Axion. This causes her eyes to bulge a little. "You're -really- not the Time Space Administration Buearu!" she suddenly exclaims, and her whole demeanor shifts. Her face lights up and she laughs.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Bulwark!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Prepare!&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Set up!"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Gear Up!&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A flash of green energy and the girl transforms, an unimaginative and bland grey Barrier Jacket appearing over her. The gem then seems to replicate itself before falling to each of her wrists, transforming when it does into a pair of very large shields and attaching to them via a pair of bracers, dark green and grey. They're long enough to cover the entirety of her arms.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite this transformation she doesn't attack, nor does she raise her guard. In fact she doesn't begin casting spells of any kind. No magic circle appears, and there's no sudden gathering of mana.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Bulwark," the girl says with a bright smile on her face, "what do your sensors say about their magic? It's nothing the Time Space Administration Bureau would ever allow, is it?"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Wind magic aided by an Intelligent Device corrupted with negative energy. Negative energy magic emanating from an unknown or damaged Device. Unknown magic of an unspecified nature. Whym master! You're entirely correct, The Time Space Administration Bureau would simply throw a fit over these fine individuals.&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes!" the girl shouts, holding up her fist in front of herself suddenly. With Bulwark active it almost looks like she's preparing to take a hit, but her demeanor makes it seam that is very much not the case. "You want those?" she says, pointing to the pile of Devices in the shed. "Take me with you, and they're yours."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon steps forward now, standing next to Miss White. He came ready to fight. Instead, he's simply blinking a bit - his standard response to something surprising or confusing, and a more common response lately than ever before. He looks at the girl. She can't be very old at all. But she does have a device. A very talkative one, unlike Raging Tempest and Axion.<br /><br />And then she puts up her Barrier Jacket. By this point he's learned not to underestimate young-looking fighters. So he hasn't even stopped readying his energy in those hands. "I have no idea what the Time Space Administration Bureau is. But I was planning on taking those devices anyways." he says. He nods to Ms. White. "Keep an eye on her - I'm going to take posession of the items."<br /><br />But as time goes on he relaxes a little bit. She's not blasting him, she's not stopping him, and in a small way her demeanor manages to remind him of two people he's fond of - Hannah and Ayana - and while it's very different to his own, he smiles. Even as he's putting a massive, dark energy seal around the devices, to prevent the same signal that drew them here from grabbing any more attention than it likely did, and to prepare them for transport back to his lab.<br /><br />"Who are these people you're so concerned about us not being, and what are you doing out here anyways?" he asks.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Ikuto's response to the scritches is a grin and a giggle. God, that cat can be /cute/. <br /><br /> And then he's up in a tree, Riv is ready to fight, and she's confronting the girl. Miss White frowns at bullying. It's what she's doing, but she has a bit of pride to her. <br /><br /> "I like to call it 'forceful friendly greetings', but whatever. Now ha...huh?" For once, it's /her/ that gets caught off guard as the girl offers a trade: the items for taking her with them. Her eye narrows suspiciously. <br /><br /> Riventon gets a thumbs up, and she nods to his question. <br /><br /> "What he said. Now, I do so /love/ having an extra hire around, but you seem pretty eager to sign on to another outfit. Call me skeptical, but that means either you are desperate, or a spy for these 'TSAB' guys. Spill the beans kiddo. Have any proof this is not a raw deal? What are you capable of anyway?" <br /><br /> She leans back, and peers at the girl as she scans. Bodies underground...did she bury these ones? Must be where she got the Devices. <br /><br /> "And could you be a little polite and offer a name?" Frown!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ikuto remains quiet, seated on the branch above.  He watches the unknown girl, blue eyes fixed on her, not moving.  Though his ears are active and scanning, turning towards any odd sounds, to make certain nothing's about to get the jump on them.  Riventon and Hannah have the magical angle covered; Ikuto will deal with the physical senses.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;he does pause to look at the shed when Euphemia points at it.  He sniffs a little in that direction, as if trying to smell something coming from that way.  Of course he doesn't-- he can't smell magic.  But then that transformation!  That gets him to look back at the girl, shifting on the branch to crouch rather than sit.  He'll need to be able to jump down quickly in case she attacks.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though... she doesn't.  And as she merely offers the devices to them, Ikuto tilts his head, ears swiveling forward to turn his attention to Euphemia.  With there being no threat, it seems, Ikuto relaxes, and moves to sit on the branch again.  Though when Riventon starts to secure things, Ikuto slides down off the branch and lands.  He's figuring he's going to get conned into carrying stuff.  Usually how it ends up with Easter, anyway.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking of not being polite... the cat-dude in leather has yet to offer a name.  Or really even say anything.  But at least he's out of the tree now, so there's that...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A tiny frown as Riventon says he's going to take the devices but she doesn't move to stop him even as he throws the energy barrier over the neatly sorted pile. Then something else he says seems to hit her with a visible impact, the girl taking a half step back.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You use Devices and don't know the Time Space Administration Bureau?" There's a look of pure 'How?!' on her face, until all of a sudden there's a look of surprise replacing it. "Ohmygosh! You're -natives- aren't you?" She lets out another laugh, this one loud, playful and lingering. "This- this is TSAB's worst nightmare come true; I love it!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile Bulwark begins to explain, &lt;The Time Space Administration Bureau is an inter-dimensional police force tasked with keeping dangerous and ancient artifacts sealed and away from civilization. Dangerous artifacts like me.&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aww, Bulwark, you're not -that- dangerous. TSAB is just full of a bunch of stupid stick up the bum jerks!" &lt;Yes, Master&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Euphemia sighs a little when her immediate offer is taken with a grain of salt, wishing she could cross her arms or put her hands on her hips, but with the huge shields on them it's pretty much impossible.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At least she can bow a little, "I'm Euphemia Barchetta, and my father was a Sergeant in the Time Space Administration Bureau. He's... over there." She waves a shield-covered hand towards the boulder.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We were on a ship sent to this planet because a whole bunch of supposedly dangerous stuff was here. It was a dangerous, stupid idea though and even my dad said so. He was right too, because the ship exploded, I think, and we ended up down here. He was... hurt really bad."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her trademark pep dies down a little when she talks about her father for a few reason, "That was a few months ago. Did I mention my father was the Quartermaster for the ships Armory? That's what those are," a motion to the shed. "Extras stored away just in case they were needed. They kinda scattered all over the place, but I helped gather them all back together in one place. Anyway, the TSAB never came to help, and has never tried to rescue us. My father would have known if they had. Worse still -he- was still loyal to the jerks, and wouldn't let me go get help because his head was so full of TSAB's stupid philosophy about keeping magical items out of the hands of magically underdeveloped cultures like yours."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The girl stomps her foot childishly, "They're nothing but a bunch of incompetent morons! Most of them, anyway. And I don't want anything to do with their stupid philosophy. Actually I want to do everything I can to break it and prove just how wrong and dumb it is. If it wasn't for that my dad would still be alive."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That should cover the 'why she'd want to help them' part, she figures, so she after the spiel she goes into why they should want her help. "Do you really want to know what I can do?" she asks, smiling brightly. This should actually be fun! She shifts into a defensive stance, "Then hit me. Hit me as hard as you can, just try. All of you at once- I don't care. Bulwark? Full protection mode." &lt;They won't even scratch you, Master.&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bold words.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon has, again, learned not to understimate magical folks due to a percieved age. On the other hand, he also knows the strength of Hannah's blows; and while he hasn't met Ikuto, that claw on the Black Cat's hand doesn't look made for sparring.<br /><br />"Well, I'm not responsible for death or injury." he says, sounding deadly serious. "But I have to admit I'm curious to see if your as tough as you think you are." And he admits interally a certain amusement at seeing which of the two - Hannah and the new girl - will have to eat their pride.<br /><br />"Axion, catalog and transport the items." &lt;JAHWOL.&gt; his device says in a harsh male german voice, before the female voice takes over for each small transfer. &lt;Device 001. Transfer. Device 002. Transfer.&gt; it begins, and continues for some time, Riventon turning to watch the possible impending duel.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Miss White is oddly silent as the girl starts her story, and she leans back against a tree. Her face grows increasingly soft as she takes in the tale: dogma filling this girl's life, her rebellion against it, the means of the TSAB and how there are apparently far more developed magical worlds out there. And worst of all, friends and allies alike buried. Alongside her Father. She's not so far gone that Euphemia might miss a brief look of sadness on her face, and a wince of her own. <br /><br /> She knows she'd be devestated if her own parents were to die. <br /><br /> At a loss for words, she simply walks over, tucks half of her Device into a pocket, and offers a squeeze to the kid's shoulder. There's a warm, almost big-sisterly smile she's so good at giving. <br /><br /> "Good on you, kiddo, for sticking to your beliefs and staying alive out here. Not going to offer words that don't help, but, you need someone to talk to? All ears, Euphemia-chan." Seems she's already come to a conclusion about the girl. <br /><br /> Miss White /laughs/ at the bravado, clapping. <br /><br /> "Oh man, I like how you /think/! Oh come on, Black-san, give the kid some credit! She has guts at least! I would /like/ to give you everything, kiddo, but..." <br /><br /> She lifts up the hem of her shirt. There's heavy bandages from her recent injuries. <br /><br /> "So no massive crushing blows today. Would get my butt kicked by my friends if I opened that back up. Still..." <br /><br /> Magic flares up around her, legs glowing green. <br /><br /> "A WARMUP SHOULD DO US BOTH SOME GOOD!" She howls, laughing like a maniac as she seems to dissappear. The ground beneath her feet craters from the impact of her wind-boosted charge, rather than a teleport spell. Her punch is a simple, textbook right hook, her hand filled with corrupted wind energy. She puts all of her body into the blow, turning with it, and trying to angle the resulting sledgehammer-like blow of wind right towards Ikuto and his claw of black shadow! She intends to send Euphemia flying like a rag doll as she lets loose with her magic. <br /><br /> She immediately regrets it, as he wound opens up regardless, blood soaking her white barrier jacket. <br /><br /> "...Nah, not up to speed. Ow. Oh yeah, Ao-chan is going to kill me. HEADS UP KITTY BOY!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Euphemia's explanation gets a surprised look from Ikuto... just for a moment.  He recovers quickly though.  He half-turns so he isn't directly facing Euphemia, but he can still see her in his peripheral vision.  And finally... he speaks.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...People like that always think they know what's best for everyone.  They don't see the effects of their decisions.  They don't know.  And most of the time they don't care."  Ooh, is that a stroke of bitterness in his voice...?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However... he hasn't actually been /told/ to engage Euphemia.  So he stands well out of the way, intending to let Hannah and Euphemia tangle.  Except then Hannah /does/ call him to engage.  He sighs, his eyes closing slightly.  "What a bother..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...And but suddenly he's in motion, leaping at Euphemia.  But it's not to cut her directly.  No, instead, his claws glow, as if the light were suddenly reflected off the whole surface of the metal, and then he swings.  The claws make bright energy trails through the air, trails that linger... and then they fly at Euphemia.  "SLASH CLAW!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yeah, he's going a bit far.  Ikuto is not one to announce his attacks, but he /is/ trying not to kill the poor girl.  But she did say hit her with their best, right...?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The blue haired girl is surprised as Miss White walks over to her but returns the smile when her shoulder is squeezed. "I'm going to survive to live the way I want, and I'm going to rub it into their sanctimonious faces every time I get the chance." She looks over to Ikuto then and nods at his conclusions, "Yes, that's exactly how they are! They think they know everything and try to force their ideals on everyone else. But they're wrong. And worse they don't listen to reason and then don't help their own people. I'll never be like them! Never."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She then looks over to Riventon as he starts sending the devices to his lab, "If you can kill me so easily then I really would be useless to you. Don't think I'm a pushover, though, I may be small but I'll never go down so easily as that!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She then looks to Miss White's wrapped abdomen, wincing a little in sympathy. It almost catches her off guard; luckily Bulwark is ever vigilant.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Magic detected. Round Shield.&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the punch comes in a dark green barrier appears between the fist and Euphemia, flaring brightly for a quarter second before shattering. It's enough.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Euphemia raises her left arm and the shield covering it flares with energy along the surface. The fist impacts this instead of her face, the dark green of Euphemia's magic and the bright green of Hannah's flaring, "HNGHH!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The shock of the blow reverberates through the Device even so, and after a moment the girl is forced back, grinding a rut in the forest floor as she's driven away. Fly like a rag doll she does not, however.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's still enough to put her right in the line of Ikuto's fire, however. She recognizes that glow for what it is, and just in case Bulwark adds, &lt;Dangerous energy buildup.&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mid slide she holds her arm up and out towards Ikuto and another shield that appears just like the one Bulwark had cast appears, though this one is much different.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Explosive&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It is, in fact, a technique specifically created for incredibly powerful ranged assaults like this one. Unlike the shield Bulwark had cast Euphemia can put as much energy into it as she needs and in this case she goes for 'a whole lot'. The shield is radiant as the attack hits, but seems to shatter almost instantly.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This is intentional. All the energy that was poured into the Explosive Shield immediately erupts, blowing back into the energy strike itself and dissipating it. It's not enough to completely stop it, but it's enough to blunt it by a large margin. What's left over crashes into Euphemia's outstretched arm, impacting her Barrier Jacket and knocking her back towards Miss White. Her face is filled with pain for a brief moment, only for it to turn jovial.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"/Wow/. You guys are STRONG!" She looks between Ikuto and Miss White, all smiles.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon watches the attacks and defenses as the last of the (many!) devices are sent back for study. He's lost count watching the impressive display - and in all honesty, he IS impressed. He's not sure how well she'll actually work for Eclipse - it takes a certain tolerance for messy acts, after all. And a certain drive. But he's quickly becoming willing to give her a try.<br /><br />But he'd feel remiss if he didn't give her one last chance to prove her viability. And besides that, he's got all that magic built up. "Well done. One more?" he says, with a smile. But despite the question in his voice, there's no room for an answer, as both hands come forward, a massive arcane circle (which matches neither Hannahs nor any in Bulwark's records) forms in the air, and a massive burst of dark energy erupts out of the space between his hands, blasting through the air and towards Euphemia! &lt;&lt;SCHATTENSCHLAG!&gt;&gt; his device announces as the attack hits.<br /><br />It should test more than her physical defensive capabilities, though, as the massive burst is more than just physically dangerous - the thoughts of weakness, failure, despair, and other dark thoughts are bound to try to make inroads into her mind, the dark energy tinged throughout the assault.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Miss White is grinning as she watches the girl take the strike, use that explosive barrier of hers, and even manage to survive Ikuto's lethal slashes! She laughs, interspersed with coughs. Wince. <br /><br /> "Not bad yourself! Hmm?" <br /><br /> Then Riventon is /up/ to something. She leans back on a tree, taking out a flask (thankfully of orange juice!), and sips as she watches him use that huge arcane circle. Her Device goes crazy, and she's chuckling, taking in that /feeling/ from the attack. It actually makes her feel a little relieved as her Device monitors their new 'recruit'. <br /><br /> "Been busy, lab partner! Come on, kiddo! See if you can keep up!" She encourages the pair, licking her lips. Such delicious data!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ikuto doesn't attack again.  The point has apparently been made.  Also there's Takashi's attack to make sure he stays out of the way of, which Ikuto does by hopping over to where hanah is.  He may or may not be trying to protect her from possible blowback as well.  "White-san.  Are you okay?" he asks.  Yeah, he saw the bandage.  And the blood.  And he can hear her coughing.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He does turn and look at Euphemia, though, to see how she's handling it.  Even Ikuto can feel the wrongness of that magic, and he frowns a bit at it.  But he says nothing, and merely waits for the outcome.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Of course!" Euphemia replies to Miss White, to which Bulwark adds in, &lt;Was there any doubt?&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Riventon announces he's going to attack the girl grins and nods, turning to face him. The arcane circle appears and, remembering his negative energy orbs from more reacts immediately. "Bulwark!" The actual command is given mentally.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Terra Guard&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A dark green hemisphere of energy surrounds her, and a moment later it's engulfed in negative energy. If it's flaring under all that energy it's completely snuffed out. The others might not be able to see what's happening, but Riventon can probably feel it. The barrier holds up for pretty long- longer than he might expect from someone making no attempts to even avoid the attack, but then falls.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Euphemia screams.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Partly from pain, but also from the horrible feelings suddenly filling her mind, her will struggling against the terrible thoughts.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bulwark does not like this. Bulwark does not like this -at all-.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Terra Rocket&gt; comes the seemingly cheerful AI voice, and both Riventon and Miss White might be able to detect something very strange indeed. Euphemia is not attacking- how can she be when she's engulfed in an attack?<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No, it's Bulwark, the Intelligent Device itself responding, completely unwilling to put up with the suffering of her Master.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dark green orbs of charged energy appear, just outside the elongated blast itself and then streak into Riventon, swerving around to hit him from the left, right, and behind all at the same time. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, and Bulwark intends to force an end to that attack before it's natural conclusion.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&lt;Tera Rocket&gt; Riventon hears - and he knows that's not Hannah's device. And that's not his device. And, incorrectly, he assumes that it's coming from someone else - that they've spent too much time in a dangerous area. Not knowing the direction of that attack, he goes into a default defense.<br /><br />He creates shields on both sides of him (ceasing his assault), but the third orb from behind slams into him!<br /><br />Riventon steps forward, dropping to one knee before rising, his Barrier Jacket taking the brunt of the attack. "Who was that?!" he shouts, rising to the air, ready to take the fight to the intruder.<br /><br />But once the blast ends, Axion informs him mentally there was no intruder - it was his target that fires the blast. And there's a smirk. "Well, I suppose you didn't say you wouldn't hit back." he adds.<br /><br />"But we should probably leave before someone else comes to investigate the same signal that drew us all here." he adds. "We've got what we came for. And you apparently wish to come with us - and I think you've earned that right - or at least, I would like to test you a bit more under different circumstances." he adds. There's a smile directed at her that makes it seem far less official than he's making it out to be.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Miss White waves a hand with a smile. "I will live. Nothing some bandages and morphine can't cure!" Cue a nervous laugh. Ow. She really should have stayed in bed today. <br /><br /> At the end of it all, she coughs as the dust is kicked up from the two clashing. She nods to Takashi, and walks over to Euphemia, to offer a hand up. <br /><br /> "Come on kiddo, time to go get you cleaned up, settled in, and get a nice hot non-rabbit breakfast in you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a tensing of Ikuto's muscles as he hears Euphemia shriek.  But he stays back.  Hopefully the girl will be all right.  But if she isn't... she'd need to do much worse things before it was all over with if she joined up with them.  If she can't handle that... how can she handle the rest of Eclipse?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hannah's words get a nod.  And then he looks to Euphemia.  Or rather, where she was.  Is she all right after the blast?  Perhaps surprisingly for him, if it looks that Euphemia needs help?  He'll help her, if he can.  Silently, wordlessly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The state Euphemia is in after the blast is finished could be described as 'sizzling', though that's not entirely proper as there was no flame or electricity. She's been laid out flat on her back and is a bit dazed though, and it takes a moment for her to recuperate. Despite the breach of her defenses however she is not knocked completely out, pushing herself up off the ground with her shield covered arms. "Woah... I'm not going to stand in front of that one again if there's a next time."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then she's hearing that she 'hit back', and she knows right away what must have happened. "Bulwark, he was testing me, not trying to kill me, geeze." &lt;Target's attack beyond acceptable testing parameters&gt; the Intelligent Device responds, speaking more mechanically than normal and playing dumb in a way that makes Euphemia roll her eyes.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She accepts Miss White's hand and pops back up to her feet, "I haven't had a non-rabbit breakfast in weeks, I'd love that!" she replies cheerfully. She gives Riventon a slightly embarrassed smile, "Sorry about that. Bulwark is really protective of me. It doesn't look like she hurt you very much, though. I'd be happy to let you test me more if you want to. Your tests are fun!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Does she really think getting hit by horrible despairing magical attacks of negative energy is fun?<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She does if she survives them!<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"So!" she asks in a chipper voice, a slight flare of magic engulfing her and dissipating as she dismisses her Barrier Jacket and Bulwark reverts to a gem dangling around her neck, "Where are we going?" She's grinning now, looking between the three assembled Eclipse members.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I'll take you back to my lab for a while. Get some food in you. Do some boring paperwork." he says, with another grin. "I'm not supposed to have non-employees in my lab, but they won't know I broke any rules if they don't find out, right?" he says, walking over to Euphemia. He figures thumbing his nose at authority will go over well with her.<br /><br />"I have a lot of questions to ask you, as you might imagine." Besides, he'll need some time to recover from that shot he just took - he's much less defensible than he looks. Partly why he has such interest in her. "I mean, if you can keep your device from lobbing energy at my back for at least a little bit."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Great!" Food sounds good even if paperwork sounds super boring. Euphemia can put up with -some- boredom in the short term if it means a bunch of fun and excitement in the long term. To his comment about keeping a secret from the higher-ups she claps her hands together and closes one eye to wink at him, "Heehee, they'll never here anything from me. Going places is twice as fun if you're not supposed to be there."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those last words might be troubling, prophetic, or both.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm sure you do, especially if you didn't even know about TSAB before today. You're both pretty amazing to learn to use your Devices so well on an Unadministrated world," she comments about both Riventon and Miss White. She then gets a curious look on her face and wanders a bit towards the tree Ikuto is up, "You're amazing strong too- who's Familiar are you? His or hers..?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And Ikuto just stays quiet... right up until that question.  "...Familiar?"  He raises an eyebrow.  "...Neither."  Not as far as he knows, anyway.  Everything seems more or less calmed down, so Ikuto lets the Character Transformation lapse.  Back to his normal form he goes, and the little cat-fairy Guardian Character Yoru appears, floating above his right shoulder.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He does look completely human like this-- no cat ears or tail, and human ears exactly where they're supposed to be, on the side of his head.  Other than that-- and the outfit change, of course... and the fact that he's not sporting those wrist-claws either-- he looks completely the same.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for Yoru?  He sees Euphemia, and makes a curious "Nya?".  Then he heads in her direction and starts to circle her curiously.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I don't think he's a familiar, no." Riventon says, echoing Ikuto's comment. Riventon has never actually seen a Guardian Character, and he looks over at Yoru with a quizzical expression on his face. Which adds more to his next comment. "I frankly don't know what he is."<br /><br />He looks back over to Euphemia. "Frankly, Device users like you and I and Ms. White seem to be a bit in the minority. There's also sorts of other things going on that we're trying to get a handle on."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:98|Euphemia Barchetta (98)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Unknown magic of unspecified nature.&gt; Bulwark reminds Euphemia after Ikuto drops his Character Transformation, and the girl herself looks down with a blush, embarrassed. "R-right."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's brought out of the short moment of awkwardness however as Yoru circles around her. She blinks twice as he passes in front of her eyes, and then turns her head to follow him in his transit. "Ahaha, you're adorable!" She reaches up to try and pat the chibi-catboy on his head, but doesn't pursue if he evades. "What's your name, little guy?"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Afterwards she'll look over to Riventon, "Most everyone is a Device user where I come from. Even people who don't fight have them, though they're incapable of combat and aren't smart like Bulwark is."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;You're too kind, Master.&gt;<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As much as she's enjoying talking she starts to get a little worried, "But... we should go. If you were able to detect those Devices other people might too. And if they didn't detect that they'd have certainly noticed that attack of yours!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ikuto emits an amused sound at Takashi's comment, half-turning from the others.  Yoru, on the other hand, emits a 'biiiii~' sound as he sticks his tongue out at Takashi.  "I'm a GUARDIAN CHARACTER-nya!" he reminds.  Stilling in the air, he crosses his arms, somehow managing this without trouble despite the big blue hand-paws.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then he's suddenly petted!  He wasn't paying attention, and got petted!  However, Yoru seems to have a more positive reaction to it than Ikuto's reaction to Hannah attempting to scritch his ears.  It's a very feline response, he rubs the top of his head against the petting hand, with a happy "Nyaaaa~..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But Ikuto's paying attention, and he notes Euphemia's words.  "Let's go."  Pause.  "Yoru.  Stop harassing her."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aw, but she started it-nya!"<br> <br>
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