View source for 2893/Training and Terribads!

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/09/14
|Location=Uminari City - Central Harbor
|Synopsis=Rashmi tries to get Koji to do some easy, safe training, but Koji finds himself too distracted by grr-face-at-Alexis. And when Rashmi takes the barrier down, TERRIBADS EVERYWHERE!
|Cast of Characters=182,198,202,7
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It's a perfectly normal day in Tokyo.<br /><br />...By whatever measure one estimates Tokyo to be 'normal' these days, anyway. It might very well be an entirely subjective thing, but nevermind that for the time being.<br /><br />School's been let out a few hours ago, and while the weather is still amenable to outdoor activities, the boardwalk by the harbor is still in full bloom of people. Some warmer clothing present, sure, but still enough to warrant the presence of some stalls here and there.<br /><br />And then there is a case of Alexises. Er. Alexes. Ale-...? Of an Alex.<br /><br />Leaning against the railing seperating the boardwalk itself from the chilly waters of Tokyo Bay by his folded-together arms. Shockingly unscuffed by anything. No signs of recent scuffles, no signs of fleeing color gangers nearby, no nothing. There's just an Alex there. Quietly leaning against the railing with his bike just off nearby.<br /><br />Staring blankly into the horizon.

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"C'mon, Koji-kun!" Rashmi can be heard down the boardwalk, gesturing to the boy behind her. "I promise, this'll be fun, okay? And I don't think you've had a chance to let you and Tyrfing really stretch your legs since the operation, right? So why not have a view while you're at it?"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Following along in Rashmi's wake, Koji looks almost like he's a normal guy. Well, as normal for him. Instead of his usual overly neat or school attire, he's dressed down a light pullover and cargo shorts, boots and socks. As she calls out, he replies, "You realize how unfair this is, Rashmi-chan. If this keeps up, my dad is REALLY going to think you and I are dating!"

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>And recognizing the voice of Rashmi, at the very least, Alex...<br /><br />...Actually, doesn't do anything. You'd *think* he would have heard the two, at least, with them passing nearby, but no. He just continues staring off over the railing with an expression that's so uncharacteristically... not there.

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Koji-kun it's ''your dad,'' he'd call a body-pillow your next girlfriend if it had a girl for a cover," Rashmi chuckles. Her steps slow as she recognizes Alex, then the redhead beams and lifts a hand in a cheerful wave. "Hi, Raskoph-san! Great view today, isn't it?"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Koji comes to a bit of a stop, almost ready to comment back with an actual quip or comment about his father's fairly lecherous behavior. Instead, on spotting Alexis, he almost skids to a stop, and then tries to find anything else to look at rather than the guy he's really not too happy with still.

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Alexis' reaction to Rashmi's call is entirely delayed. He doesn't move even an iota for nearly ten seconds before his head slowly twists over to facing the duo there. And for the next few seconds, he just... stares at them, with a completely blank expression and clouded eyes that seem to be staring straight through them rather than *at* them. Comparing to how expressive he usually is, it's more than a bit unsettling.<br /><br />After those few seconds, though, his eyes blink a few times over, and his gaze steadily clears up, only for him to let out a confused "Huh?"

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rashmi Terios blinks, tilting her head at Alexis for a moment. "...You okay, Raskoph-san? Only, Koji-kun and I were going to get some practice in with Tyrfing's new setup, and I thought maybe you wanted to watch? I mean if nothing else, it'll help to know how some of us work, since I heard about you setting that gorilla-youma on fire and all... How's that sound?"

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sayaka Miki comes in from the opposite direction, listening to her MP3 player on full blast. She barely even noticed the familiar group of people up ahead as she sings and dances aloud to the music. "I'm gonna getcha, uh-huh, uh-huh...!"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Looking anywhere but Alexis... anywhere but Alexis...<br /><br />Anywhere...<br /><br />As much as the bookstore and the conbene are interesting things to stare at for a time, Koji really isn't one to dwell on any one thing for too long. Straightening his glasses he looks back towards the others now, and his hands go into his pockets before saying, "Rashmi, I don't think he's in the mood to talk... or do anything. And Are you sure it's allright to talk about... that stuff out loud?"<br /><br />People passing by probably not even caring, kids play games all the time after all, even teens.<br /><br />But whatever he's about to say is interrupted as he turns his head to murmur down towards something in his pocket, "No, that's rude, Tyrfing!"

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"...Huh?" Alex lets out again at Rashmi's initial question, eyes blinking once more at her specifically while he's turning himself along the railing to face the two more fully. "What do you... mean? I..." A hand goes up over to rub at the side of his face, for a moment. "...I'm okay?" Why does he seem so confused about that? Or... out of it, somehow.<br /><br />The hand rubbing at his face gives a light slap at his cheek, then, before dropping away, as if in some effort to bring life back into himself by way of shock therapy, while considering the redhead's offer. "...Practice," he murmurs in repeat, with his eyes turning curiously to Koji's way. "Tyrfing's a... Device, I'm guessing?"<br /><br />Koji's chiding at Tyrfing (apparently) does prompt a faint twitch of a brow from the german. He elects (wisely) not to say anything of it, however.

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It's okay, Koji-kun," Rashmi says, peering at Alexis for a moment. "We're just talking, right? And who knows, there'll probably be some social game or other most people'll think we're talking about, and when I put up the Barrier we won't even be here, so..." Trailing off with a shrug, she steps a little closet to Alexis, snapping her fingers. "Raskoph-san? You're seriously kinda checked out, are you ''sure'' nothing's wro-- Oh hi Miki-san!" The approaching girl gets a cheerful grin and wave, more thn likely drawing Alexis' attention her way.

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sayaka Miki slows down as she sees the people up ahead, fortunately, and spying a Lexi among them she grins brightly, turning off her headphones and creeping up behind him, attempting to cover his eyes with her hands. "Guess Whoo?!" Well the mystery may have been taken out with Rashmi greeting her but Lexi seems pretty out of it nonetheless.

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The young man behind Rashmi just adjusts his glasses once, and then seems to look a little more put out by all the girls being as friendly as they are to Alexis. Whatever Koji has seen or heard of him, obviously he's not as appreciative to see the other guy here, but he just looks up at the sky and the time, "Not to... okay to kind of interrupt, you know I don't have that much time tonight Rashmi. Maybe we should just put this off until later."<br /><br />Another beat and he taps what sounds like a metal case in his pocket, and looks down at it as nonchalantly as he can with another 'stop it' expression.

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The snap of Rashmi's fingers in front of his face causes Alex to squint his eyes and instinctively lean back away just a little bit. "I don't know what you are talking abo--" he starts to insist, right before suddenly he loses his vision. HE'S GONE BLIND! AAAA!<br /><br />Well actually no, it's just Saya's hands. The boy goes completely still and stiff for a second or so, before easing up again and offering in answer, "Old Man Krampus?"<br /><br />Koji being displeased by his presence he seems completely oblivious about.

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"''No putting it off,''" Rashmi says quickly, wheeling around. "We'll be just over here guys, okay? I'll make sure to keep you both in the Barrier."<br /> <br />Trotting back to Koji, she extricates Nicomachea's standby form from her bookbag, grinning. "I can't ''wait'' to see you and Tyrfing in action now," she admits, and holds the charm out, facing up. "Okay, Nicomachea... Time-Space Barrier!"<br /> <br />There's an answering *bing!* and the world changes color. THe light now takes on a slightly monochromatic, green-black sort of gradient, faintly washing away the color of the quartet.<br /> <br />And now, no one else is here in the world! Which means no one else notices when Rashmi glows bright yellow, and the light shatters to reveal her in her Barrier Jacket, Nicomachea fully set up and floating, open, just over one open hand.

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sayaka Miki chuckles, removing her hands from his face and instead wraps her arms gently around his neck, hugging him tightly from behind. "Nope, guess again!" she grins, kissing him on the neck before releasing him, nodding and grinning to Rashmi and Koji. "Hey yous, whatcha up to?"

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sayaka Miki blinks slowly as Rashmi starts activating her device, with flashy lights and cool stuff. "Woah, What's this for, Rashmi-chan?" she smirks, "Showing off?"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>''When did SHE become the impulsive one.'' A voice suddenly says where everyone can hear it, and Koji stiffens a moment as the mana of the barrier washes past him before resolving. He reaches into his pocket and takes out to almost sword-sheathed shaped pencil case in his pocket and holds it out.<br /><br />It's almost a disappointing tone Koji takes, despite his smile as he says, "Tyrfing, ENGAGE!"<br /><br />''JA WOHL!''<br /><br />He reaches for the little bulb top of the case, and that changes with a flash of mana into a nearly two-handed grip, the rest of it extending the other direction until it becomes the more familiar high-tech short-sword sheathe of Tyrfing. His own form flashes, and a ring like a barrier seal appears over his head and at his feet, both passing to the middle and then dissipating into a shatter of crystal sparks to reveal the same Knight Cloth he had before... ill-fitting but still functional.<br /><br />The sword locks on his back once more, and he starts poking at his clothing, pulling up the drape around his legs, and then reaches around his back, "Nothing... feels... different. Huh."

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Santa claus?" Alex offers as his second guess when Saya turns to just hugging him. He at least manages to draw one hand up to settle it affectionally atop one of her squeezing arms and tip his head over towards hers in the briefest of nuzzles before she draws away and--<br /><br />And the world changes.<br /><br />Alex blinks.<br /><br />Alex stares.<br /><br />Alex takes in a deep breath and lifts one finger up. "I'm sorry. Rashmi? Did you just casually pull us OUT OF TIME AND SPACE?!?!"

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Nope!" Rashmi chirps, turning to Sayaka, "Tyrfing just got a complete rebuild, so Koji-kun needs some practice with the new configuration. And I'd rather he do it here, where the only thing that can hurt him is maybe gravity, than figure it out mid-fight. So... training!" Trotting a short distance away, Rashmi grins at Koji, extending one hand and generating a magic circle about as large as she is. "So! You get to try and break my shield, Koji-kun, and you're not allowed to get closer than that!"<br /> <br />At Alexis' semi-outraged question, Rashmi blinks, turning a deeply puzzled look at Alexis. "...You'd rather I blocked a double-handful of lasers in a crowded boardwalk...?"

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sayaka Miki poohs, watching the two intently, utterly intrigued. "Soo, these are intelligent devices, right? I've seen a friend use em before, and Miss White too! Like some kinda magical weapons that are attuned to your individual potential or something, right?" she seems intrigued as she steps back to watch. "So like, how did you acquire them, anyway?0

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Without his glasses on, Koji almost passes for a girl, his eyes with that bright gleam to them, that long raven hair... it's a little uncanny for someone who hasn't seen it before.<br /><br />But Rashmi has his attention for the moment as he reaches back and draws the tech-blade from his back, and mutters, "Here goes nothing..." <br /><br />Pointing the short sword at the shield, "Umm... ACTIVATE!"<br /><br />...nothing...<br /><br />"GO?"<br /><br />...nothing...<br /><br />"Uhh..."<br /><br />''Stop. Breathe. Think about the Grimoire. And stop embarrassing yourself, kid.'' Comes from the sword, a single blue gem in the blade blinking.<br /><br />The one trying to cast looks a little dismayed, and then just sheathes the sword once more, and closes his eyes. After a few moment of brathing, a circle tri-gram of Belkan magic appears at his feet, followed by his Knight Cloth's skirt blowing out and backwards behind him. After a moment, three small enlongated and flattened diamond-shapes appear in the air around him, "Okay... so... they don't need spells to tell them to come out. It's like... thinking about a kite on a string."

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rashmi's retort leaves Alex silent for a few seconds.<br /><br />"...Well I mean... no, but... that's so besides the point!" He insists then, with a quiet huff of air, cheeks puffing out briefly. "At what point exactly did our lives end up in a way where LITERALLY BEING OUTSIDE THE TIME STREAM! became a perfectly normal thing?"<br /><br />Despite all the nonsense Alex gets up to, one has to remember that he has only really even been aware of the magical world for less than a year.<br /><br />Either way. The boy lets out a long sigh, and then just takes a step back with Sayaka, with his arms crossed together, eyeing over Koji specifically now. He looks... incredibly bemused, but thankfully he doesn't actually say anything about his appearance or anything else of the sort.<br /><br />"Yeah," he says sidelong to Saya, instead, with a slow dip of his head. "They link to the Linker Core in their users. Like this... package of potential magic in their souls. YOu know, that thing Mercury had to cut out of me to turn me back to human? Anyway, they basically draw the mana out from there and convert it to functional magic for their users. They originate from some civilization from far off into space or something, I never got that part... but there's different kinds of them from different cultures too. Look--" He nods his head towards Koji. "His is an ancient Belkan one. I think hers is Midchildan, probably."

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"That's it, Koji-kun!" Rashmi chirps, before splitting her attention to bob her head at Sayaka. "Y'basically. I found mine in a bookstore, which is kinda weird because it's ''completely normal,'' but Nicomachea won't talk to me when I ask him about it." Lifting her shoulder in a shrug, she seems about to go on... and then Alexis starts talking like a veteran Device User. Completely out of the blue. And you can ''see'' the question on her face, and probably guess what it is even though she hasn't fully opened her mouth to ask it.

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The sheer level of annoyance at not only does Alex act like a smarmy tough guy and disrespect food at the Korma, not only is he better at hand to hand so he gets 'special treatment' by Kyouko, AND he's got a girlfriend... AND he knows more about Devices than Koji...<br /><br />There comes a breaking point when unreasoning jealousy comes to the fore in people... but it's not a good idea when that person is trying to mentally control a group of three autonomous manifestations of energy.<br /><br />Which is why when the tips of all three begin glowing, it's probably a bit of a surprise when they aim at ALEXIS.<br /><br />''Koji...''<br /><br />"What."<br /><br />''Get yourself under-''<br /><br />"BARRET."<br /><br />''...''<br /><br />''Initiieren''<br /><br /> They begin lining up to fire, the young male Mage's eyebrow twitching and vein throbbing as the urge to wipe the assumed smug off Alexis' goes completely out of containment!

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sayaka Miki smirks at Rashmi. "A bookstore. Of all places. Seriously?!" she just laughs in disbelief, shaking her head. But at least she's not freak ing out too much with the whole space warp. Hey, she's fought along side Muss White and Mikoto before, she's used to this. Kinda. "Coool. I think I was in something similar before. some device users like to use these sari bubbles to avoid damage to the surrounding area, right?" she arches a curious brow at Alex as he seems to know more about these things than Koji, warranting an appraising look from the Puella. Byt when he raises that device at Alex, Saya narrows her eyes warily, wasting no time in transforming in a flash of blue light, dashing protectively in front of Alex. "What the heck are you doing?!"

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Oh come on, what's with that look?" Alex asks of Sayaka -- all while apparently missing the look that *Rashmi* is giving him. "I'm just repeating what Rash--" he starts to say, but he gets cut off by... well.<br /><br />Alexis' eyes snap towards Koji upon the realization that there's balls of energy aimed at *him*, eyes briefly widening with a twitch of a brow and a quiet "Oi..." before they narrow again. Right on time with Saya stepping in front of him.

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Ack!" Rashmi whips out her other hand, pointing an open palm at Sayaka, and a second circle spreads into being. Knowing that by this point, it's too late to redirect the spell (and if it's not, it's a good thing they're under a bubble) she glares around the sunlight-colored magic seal at Koji. "At ''me,'' Koji! ''You're supposed to be shooting at me,'' okay? ... ....." Rashmi gives a sidelong glance at Alexis, still not having forgotten the encyclopedia entry the unpowered boy nearly rattled off from memory, then back at Koji. "Look if you're too distracted or whatever, you should have said something. Let's just try again tomorrow, okay?"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>For the moment just before the spells are fired off, it honestly looks like Koji is about to blast an unmagical, unarmored, unprepared person with potentially deadly spellwork. But then... two of the three spark, fizzle, and then just pop like they're bubbles, leaving mana-dust wafting down in the air.<br /><br />Koji's third Bit twitches just before firing and the Barret bolt just glances off the Dimensional Barrier and fizzles into nothingness.<br /><br />''Wow. And I thought I was bad.''<br /><br />It takes him a three-count to realize that everyone is staring at him, and then with a gulp Koji just drops his gaze and looks away, rubbing the back of his neck, murmuring out, "Sumimasen."<br /><br />The remainder Bit seems not to be under his control, as he turns around to reveal the azure crystal in the back that brightens and dims based on the speech that can be heard, ''I think my targetting protocols are a little off. Heh. Gonna have to work on that.''

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Puella Magi Sayaka doesn't even move to dodge the balls of energy. Heck she's tough, she can take just about anything, and even if she can't, she can heal from almost anything. Still, she spreads out her arms, bracing for the worst. Who knows how much power this Koji or his device possess? Fortunately at the last moment, the crisis is averted, the energy balks fizzling before causing damage. Still Saya doesn't back down but summons a sword, pointing it threateningly at Koji with a snarl. "If that was meant to be a joke, it wasn't funny. If you so much LOOK at my boyfriend with that weapon in hand again and next time I won't be so forgiving!"

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>And cue Alex's hand coming from behind Sayaka to give a squeeze to her shoulder. "Saya," he lets out in a quiet sound, giving a light tug. "It's okay. If he has a problem--" His eyes promptly snap up straight towards Koji, slightly narrowed. "He can say it straight to me."<br /><br />The german boy lets out a quiet sigh with that, and his hand moves on, as he steps around to stand besides Sayaka, to settle on her arm holding the sword, intending to gently guide her to lower it down.<br /><br />And then he takes note of Rashmi. And both his brows rise up, slowly-- apparently he finally noticed that Look. "What?"

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Guys, guys... C'mon, let's deal with this some other time, okay? Neither of you are really at your best right now." Glancing from Unity Knight With Loaded Gun to Street Tough With Too Much Device Knowledge, Rashmi presses her lips together. "Besides, Raskoph-san? I don't remember ''ever'' telling you enough about Devices you can spot the origin like that. And you've been checked-out for half the time we've been here, so I'm ''kinda worried.''" Letting go of both shields, she reaches up to close Nicomachea, as the Barrier begins to dissolve from the top, slowly down to ground level. "So let's just shelve this for now, and come back to the topic when we've all got cooler hheeeeeaaaaoooooooooooh boy."<br /> <br />The Barrier comes down to reveal.... a Tokyo in chaos. People being turned into mirrors, monsters running wild, and the distinct sounds of magical combat in the far distance.<br /> <br />For a couple beats, Rashmi just stares, wide-eyed. "Tyrfing get that protocol optimized now. Sayaka-san, stay with us or go elsewhere, we're fine either way. Rashkoph-san.... Fight or go home?"<br /> <br />It's a serious question Rashmi asks, her head turned toward the tough with raised eyebrows. "If you want to fight, I can help you. If you don't, I understand."

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The world opens up for Koji, and his vision of it CHANGES... <br /><br />Instead of seeing just people, his eyes are now filled with information. Targets, threat levels, ranges... rudimentary scan analysis. His eyes go wide and he just seems to be overloaded with the information. Blinking them to clear his vision of some of it, but most of the information remains in place. It's a couple more breaths before he steadies himself, and just whispers out, "So... this is Befelhmodus."<br /><br />''Orders?'' <br /><br />Koji brings his hand up, and there are not 5 Bits in the air, and two of them actually go over to where Alexis is. With some moment's focus he waves his hand like a maestro and the pair land on the backs of Alexis' hands and morph...the long parts pointing forwards from the other young man's fists while the rest locks around his wrists.<br /><br />''Leeres Messer''<br /><br />Blades erupt from the front of Alex's hands, making him look like he's got punch daggers.<br /><br />The other three begin to rotate around Koji as he draws the sword from his back, and the a blue blade activates around it, not extending like it used to. He grips that and looks towards the enemies, "Tyrfing."<br /><br />''Ja Wohl''<br /><br />"Take control of Bits Eins through Drei."<br /><br />''Ja Wohl.'' And as he advances on the first mirror-entity, three Barrets burst out to strike one of the monsters about to grab a woman and child, vaporizing it.

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Puella Magi Sayaka continues to glower at Koji a moment longer, relaxing only at the touch of Alex's hand on her arm, lowering her sword. "Sorry, Lexi.." she smiles sheepishly at him. "Koji-kun's just jealous, cuz you know more about intelligent devices than he does.." she looks over at Rashmi and sighs. "Look, you'd better watch him. I have to take care of some stuff. Alex, I'll call you later, okay? Be careful around him.." she leans over to kiss him briefly on the lips before hurrying off.

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Wha...?" Alex lets out in an utterly puzzled sound at Rashmi, with his brows lifted up. "WHat are you talking about? You--" The protests are left hanging off on in the air with that, and his eyes promptly widen to the scene surrounding them instead.<br /><br />"...We leave time and space for FIVE MINUTES!" he groans out before Rashmi gives that question, and his brows furrow down. "I--"<br /><br />He gets cut off YET AGAIN. This time by Bits coming over to him suddenly and attaching to his hands. Suddenly he has punching daggers.<br /><br />He stares at them for a few seconds, and then turns a sheepish look back to Rashmi. "I get the feeling you both know what my answer to that is. Now..." Eyes narrow towards the Terribads roaming about. "I don't know these ones. Any input before we wade in?"

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I don't either," Rashmi says, letting Nicomachea fall back open above her hand. "But I don't think with a crowd like this, tactics mean much. Now, um.... hold still." Quickly, a magical circle spreads out around her feet, and Nicomachea chirps out a series of phrases.<br /> <br />*bing!* &lt;&lt; BARRIER JACKET. STRIKE BOOST UP. ACCEL BOOST UP. FLIER FIN. &gt;&gt;<br /> <br />The bulk of the spells settle on Alexis, replacing his clothing with a black longcoat and pants trimmed in red, and red-and-black armor plated boots. Yellow bands of magic weave through the air, curling around his wrists and ankles and revolving, slowly, in the air, as two pairs of yellow energy wings sprout from Rashmi's back and ankles. "Okay," she says. "That can keep you from hurting if you're put through a wall, Raskoph-san... but like, try not to. I can't put a Barrier around all of Tokyo and there's a ''lot'' of these things here."<br /> <br />"So let's go get'em," she says, lifting a short distance off the ground, then rocketing off after Koji, bright yellow balls of mana fading into existence around her head.

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lacking the control to be able to bring more Bits out to bear, the pair of Koji and Tyrfing fight in the best way they can. The Bits do not fire all at once, instead they begin floating in a triangle after the first shot, and start a slow gattling effect. Fire, rotate, Fire. They remain close to Koji, turning and firing at anything that comes close, each blast causing them to change out so that none of them burn out too quickly in their novice state.<br /><br />Koji's work with Sailor Jupiter in the dojo off and on since Tyrfing had been offline has made some gains with the young man. He moves better, the short blade swings true as one of the purple-caped youma is slashed in half, and another is run through. There's a leapdodge to get away from some of the crystal growths that Tyrfing in his semi-autonomous state blasts the crystals away from the building.<br /><br />"There's not that strong.", Koji finally says, but he's still straining to really make sense of all of it, "Some of it's in Belkan, so it's hard to read, but... they're not 'strong'. Tyrfing is trying to shoot at the ones holding people in the mirrors, I'll do what I can to get the ones grabbing people. Rashmi... we need a safe zone!"

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Tactics *always* matter, Rashmi," Alex assures riiiight before the spellwork of barrier jacket is put on him, and...<br /><br />...Well. He looks incredibly bemused for a moment while he stares at the longcoat flowing along him. "...I *really* hope my feet aren't going to tangle in this nonsense," he mutters, more to himself than anyone else. "Okay, well... let's try this then."<br /><br />He leans himself over in what constitutes a runner's start, legs stretching for a few seconds before he launches off with the assistance of the magic weaved around him, and with a loud "ORA!" a punch directs the energy blade from the bit into the center of a Terribad's head before the knuckles of his fist proper smack in and launch the thing off, only for him to spin around and move on to launch a viscious close-combat assault right into the next one with an ease of flow that's grown from all-too-many street brawls. With his prior experience with Dark Energy boosts, he settles fairly easily into the assistance from the two Device Users, too, which turns him into a rapid whirlwind of whipping black fabric, fists and feet. Though, still definitely more down-to-earth manner of fighting than the swordwork and energy-blasts Koji and Rashmi are engaging in, surely.<br /><br />He pauses briefly in the middle of it all, to look off to the side-- and see one of the mirrors break and let out an imprisoned civilian. "Oh," he lets out, from dawning realization of the timing involved, and turns a look back to the other two. "The mirrors are tied to these things! Every single one you take out, someone gets freed! Just take them all out as quick as you can!"

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I'm working on it!" Rashmi says to Koji, loosing bullet after golden bullet at the Terribad scrum, the speedy yellow balls curving upward into the air before slamming into their targets -- looks like Rashmi's been tuning for homing capacity, lately -- as she bites her lower lip. "Nicomachea, ''can'' you tune a Barrier so it's permeable to low-mana bystanders?"<br /> <br />*bing!* &lt;&lt; COMMAND INPUT WORKING, &gt;&gt; Nicomachea replies. &lt;&lt; FORMULA OPTIMIZATION BEGIN. &gt;&gt;<br /> <br />"...We need a little time," Rashmi calls out, and with a wave of her hand sets a large ring of magic on the ground that begins to glow, as if sunshine were leaking up through the pores in cement. Big enough to hold perhaps a hundred fifty souls, if they packed in really really close. "Everyone who's not fighting, come and stand in the circle! If you're hurt, it'll help a bit, but I need you all gathered to properly protect you!"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>''Koji.'' <br /><br />"Busy." Koji replies with a grunt as he slashes into another one.<br /><br />''Get Unbusy. Pull back. Create more Bits.''<br /><br />Enough trust in his newly rebuilt friend, the young male Mage pulls back from his fight, and then sheathes the sword back on his back. Closing his eyes, a Belkan Tri-Gram appears around his feet as he focuses hard, channelling his own mana through Tyrfing as an amplifier... an maneuver the two of them were used to from the beginning. But the speed of which is processes this time, along with the fact that it has a specific focus to travel into means that three more Bits appears in front of him, and turn so that the diamond ends are towards him, and the blue 'eyes' face the crowd.<br /><br />"Vier, Funf, Sechs. Berret. Punkt-Feier-Modus. Engagieren."<br /><br />''Ja Wohl''<br /><br />While Tyfing's triumverate of Bits continue to fire in a rotation, speeding up a little so that they are a bit like an old-school Gatling, Koji begins to move his hands in front of him. In his eyes, he's reaching up, and touching to targets, tracing their path, and then releasing to Fire. It almost looks like 2-handed conducting as the 'pair' begin to create a tunnel for people to move through, keeping the constantly forming crystals clear.<br /><br />In the middle of it all, he does ask, "Tyrfing... if you've got Midchildian software, why are we still using Old Belkan?"<br /><br />''Because kid, you don't mess with the classics!''<br /><br />The other three soon begin to emulate Koji's movements, and it could almost be seen, the two of them standing side by side, playing some kind of complex game, taking all their focus and ability.

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Meanwhile, back over there, a Terribad flies through the air. Not intentionally, see, but rather in a flailing pile of limbs that crashes into another one. Followed shortly behind by Alex leaping through the air and landing on top of them in a devastating ground pound that stabs the two Bit-blades into the ground through both Terribads.<br /><br />As fast as he moves, his fighting method is still significantly less optimal for quick elimination of big crowds compared to the lasers beams and blasts provided by the other two. But points for effort on keeping up, at least.<br /><br />Eventually, when the Terribads start dwindling down in numbers thanks to the combined efforts of all three, there's a loud yell. Not from any civilian, not from the terribads-- but from Alex. A sharp roar when he speeds through to chase after one of the things, grabbing suddenly at the throat of the purple-cloaked figure to lift it up only to slam down onto the curb again. And after falling down to a lowered posture himself, he brings his other hand down in a fist to crash into the thing's face, hard. And then back up again, just to be slammed down all over.<br /><br />And he keeps going like that, in a fierce, mindlessly violent barrage, with no focus provided for antything else around him.<br /><br />Punch.<br /><br />Punch.<br /><br />Punch.<br /><br />Punch.

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>*bing!* &lt;&lt; OPTIMIZATION COMPLETE, &gt;&gt; Nicomachea says, as more and more rescued folk gather in Rashmi's healing circle. &lt;&lt; SANCTUARY BARRIER. &gt;&gt;<br /> <br />Around the ring of magic, and far enough beyond it to cover half the street, a dome of white-and-yellow light rises up to close around the huddled Tokyoites. "It's okay!" Rashmi calls to the stragglers. "You can go through, but nothing can go after you!"<br /> <br />With the bulk of her mana now reserved for keeping Alex at fighting form, and the Barrier up, Rashmi now simply floats above the boardwalk, calling out targets that Koji might have missed... and severely worrying about Alex's mental state.

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Koji doesn't have the mental space to keep up. There's too much input, and so he's down into the barest essentials for himself. <br /><br />Target.<br /><br />Trace.<br /><br />Release.<br /><br />With the enemies thinning, the first thing that 'breaks' are the two Bit-Blades attached to Alexis' wrists, the forms puffing into crystalline manadust and blowing away.<br /><br />''Sieben. Acht. Kaputt gemacht.''<br /><br />Soon after, two of each of the triple-group of Bits burns out, and just *POPS* from low mana and ragged control.<br /><br />''Eins. Vier. Kaputt gemacht.''<br /><br />But the two keep firing, Koji panting like mad not as his hands shake from effort of his harried defense, which those last minute 'Look outs!' and 'There!'s from Rashmi help pick up the slack. Bolt after silver-blue bolt continues their salvo, each shaving a little more from Koji's reserves.

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It's probably pretty telling of a fair many things that Alex keeps on fighting through even without the Bit-blades. That's probably not all that surprising, really, for anyone who truly knows him. This isn't someone who backs away from a fight if it would mean not helping when he could.<br /><br />But the thing is, this isn't just fighting to help now. It's not hard to tell that he's all but lost into it. Continuing to pound the head of a Terribad between curb and fist-- all the way up until another comes upon him, only for him to rapidly slide through, sweep his foot through the thing's legs to get it knocking over and rolling himself over to pin the thing down and resume the fist-pounding on it, instead. Just nothing but rapid, mindless pummeling that goes on even after the thing eventually dissipates long enough for his fist to crack into the stone of the curb below three times over and leave his knuckles reddened.<br /><br />Most people might view him outwardly as a 'thug', but this is definitely not like him.

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>And finally, the street is empty of Terribads, and Rashmi is ''seriously'' concerned. "Koji! ''Tap out,'' it's over!" But the Barrier stays up for a moment, as Rashmi flies to a spot just out of reach of the raging Alexis, head tilted to one side. "Nicomachea? We need to snap him out of that."<br /> <br />*bing!* &lt;&lt; BARRIER JACKET -- COLLAPSE &gt;&gt;<br /> <br />Alexis' awesome new clothes glow bright yellow.... and explode outward, with enough force to hurl a human body a good few feet away, and crack the pavement where he stood.

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Those words just make Koji collapse on his backside as two more Bits burst from their combined lack of skill in maintaining and channelling mana through their new form. As he sits there, trying to get his breath, one of the Bits floats back and goes into a dock that opens up in the side of the blade-sheathe, leaving just one floating there by his side.<br /><br />That Bit, being run just by Tyrfing floats over and glows warningly next to Rashmi's head.<br /><br />''Speakin' as someone who's got issues?''<br /><br />''I got nuthin.''

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>BWOOM.<br /><br />The implosion and consequent explosion of energy does certainly break Alex off from the maddened pummeling. Getting suddenly knocked into the air and sent into a series of bounces along the pavement does that.<br /><br />When the momentum ends, he still rolls a few times over in a last-ditch effort to soak some of the impact, and then one more time to bring himself over to laying on his front, where he cna work himself up, wobbling, onto at least one knee, never quite managing to bring himself up any further than that.<br /><br />"Guh... uh..."

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I don't even know, Tyrfing," Rashmi says, wincing sharply. "He's not ''nearly'' this... unfocused. ...Gimme a sec." Flitting after Alexis, she pulls up to drop to the ground next to him when he stops, kneeling to put a hand on his shoulder as another circle spreads out beneath him. "Hey, take it easy," she says gently, as the feeling of sunlight warming skin soaks into ALexis' bones, soothing his aches and stopping the worst of his bleeding. "You went a little wild there, Alexis-san, you all right?"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Bit under the direct control of Tyrfing continues to float there, lookng 'down' at Alexis, and then turns to flash that crystal eye at Rashmi. The blink fades, and it goes back to looking at Alexis...<br /><br />''Just to be clear, you being all nice does NOT change the fact that if he makes a wrong move, I -AM- gonna blast him.'' <br /><br />Koji's got no dog in this fight. He's so tired that he's just laying on his back, arms spread, panting and staring up at the night sky.

:'''{{#var:182|Alexis Raskoph| (182)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Guh..." Alex lets out in answer first, and after a few more seconds, manages to push himself up at least enough that he can proceed to plant his button the pavement and sit rather than remain prone.<br /><br />"I..." He breathes out, with one hand coming up to rub along the side of his skull, and eyes turning to peer, clouded-over, at Rashmi and the Bit both. "...I don't know what got to me..."

:'''{{#var:198|Rashmi Terios| (198)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I don't know either," Rashmi says, patting the boy's shoulder. "Gonna want to talk to you about it later, though. Stop by the restaurant tomorrow, but right now maybe you should go home and lie down. Call Sayaka-san and let her know you're okay, all right?"

:'''{{#var:202|Koji Silvia| (202)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>That little bit, it's too much for the last one, and it just vibrates a few moments, and the *POPS*, sounding like glass shattering and leaving floating bits of solid mana that eventually vanish.<br /><br />From behind Rashmi, she hears, "Food? I could do food."
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