Battle Fantasia MUSH - User contributions [en]

2021-06-20 - ...And Into the Fire: Take 2

2021-06-25T00:47:53Z

Blasktin: Created page with "{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2" |- ! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: ...And Into the Fire:..."

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: ...And Into the Fire: Take 2'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Fumiko invites Niramo over for a study night and intent to ask her burning question. Niramo notices when Fumiko loses her courage, and while encouraging her friend, ends up learning a lot more about one another.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitmachi Low City - Inoue Residence
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2021-06-20 - 2015-12-03
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The condo complex that Fumiko lives in is by no means an opulent mansion, but compared to many of
the low-rent apartment complexes within the vicinity, it certainly stands out. It is either newer
than most of them, or was recently refurbished and taken care of very well. It even had what could
almost be considered a front and back yard, though it was communal property - the price of living in
a condominium rather than a house.

In the front yard sat an increasingly nervous and impatient Fumiko in a small 'cushion' of snow.
Footprints dug a trench around the mound, a rut formed by her earlier nervous pacing. Despite the
cold, a drop of sweat runs down her face, which she quickly wipes off. "Okay... this is it... she'll
be here soon. This is going to be tough but... I need to know! And...." She sighs, her head drooping
down. "I need to be able to bring friends over without too much issue from... her."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Heading over to a friends house for the first time is always a trip into the unknown. Will it be as
something as fancy as a restored mansion, mysterious as a beach house or as stylish as a bakery with
housing above the store? Or is it as homely as Niramo's own house? Tokyo has quite the wide spread
of housing available that is as exotic as the next, yet it tends to be limited when someone who
lives there goes to Juuban.

This seems to be the case with Fumiko's home, but even then it manages to stand out from the
surrounding condos just for being newer. That, and Fumiko herself seems to be standing in front.
Walking up the sidewalk with an unmarked paper box in hand and bookbag slung over her shoulder is
Niramo now, who can be see smiling over her beige scarf. "Hey Fumiko-san! Thanks for waiting out to
make sure I know what's the right building."

As Niramo gets closer though, it's easy for her to see just how nervous Fumiko is, and the ravenette
raises an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko sighs, appearing as if she is deflating. "Hi... Niramo. You're late to being early." She
flashes her friend a quick grin, then sinks a bit. "It felt like you took forever to get here and
that you weren't ever going to come, but... you arrived exactly on time, so it's just me."

Fumiko stands up, looks around suspiciously, and then offers Niramo a hug. "Yeah... things are
okay. Just... never invited a friend over, and my mom's kind of... well..." She chuckles nervously,
crossing her arms. "I don't know, actually. She's gotten better recently about things. I don't...
want to say anything bad about her because, well, she's my mom and she cares a lot about me, but...
she can be a bit overbaring, and used to be... judgmental about my friends." She then looks towards
the entrance as the subject of the conversation comes out.

Fumiko's mom looks a lot like Fumiko, but older and more 'perfect'. Her hair and makeup look as if
a professional studio artist had perfected their craft on her, and her dazzling green dress and
heels were shining and spotless. She looks over Niramo for a second, blank-faced, then slowly smiles
and nods. "You must be my dear Fumi's friend," she says, voice dripping with honey. "You are..." she
pauses, considering her next words carefully. "You are quite welcome here. You may call me Miss
Inoue, dear. I'm sure you are an amazing person, as my Fumi surely has a great taste in friends.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo shrugs her shoulders lightly. "I honestly thought I was going to be late there, but the train
was actually ahead of schedule for once. Things just worked out for me, that's all!" Setting the box
down on top of a nearby banister, Niramo quickly hugs Fumiko with a grin on her face. "I think it
just means that she really wants the best for you, that's all. I'll be on my best behavior, I
promise."

But as she turns around to collect her box again, out comes the subject matter herself. Niramo's
first impressions of her were someone dressing to impress, and she speaks in a way that reminds
Niramo of a majority of Ohtori students. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Inoue! I'm Niramo Umokeshi, and
thank you for letting me come to visit your daughter at your home." Wanting to give off a good first
impression, Niramo reaches for the box and opens the lid, showing off some homemade baked goods,
mainly fudge brownies and frosted Christmas-themed sugar cookies. "I brought some snacks I made
earlier to help us study, but you can have one!"

Niramo shoots Fumiko a nervous look behind the thin cover of the lifted box lid. Despite presenting
herself clearly and confidently, Niramo seems to be worried that she'll mess up somehow.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Miss Inoue's smile seems firmly fixed in place. "You are quite welcome," she says sweetly. The
offering of cookies does, however, bring genuine happiness to her face, moreso after sampling a
sugar cookie. "Mmm... I hope that you two are studying baking," she jokes. "Fumi would do well to
have you as a tutor~ Anyways, can I trust you two alone while I'm gone? I have errands to do and I
don't want to come home to a fire truck parked up front."

After Miss Inoue is gone, Fumiko releases a lot of stored tension with a sigh. "Seems... okay.
Quickly, before she changes her mind, I'll lead the way.

--Inside--

All the furnishings in Fumiko's living room and dining room/kitchen were either high-class and
expensive, or faked to look that way. A large comfy couch in front of a larger television, a table
with many ornate chairs in the dining room with an expensive-looking vase full of roses in the
center, spotless stove and microwave... while Fumiko and her mom were not 'living large', they
certainly made it look like they were at first glance. However, there were signs that some things
were repainted or repurposed, or that some of the more fancy objects were knockoffs. "Welcome to my
humble abode," Fumiko jokes.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Letting a small sigh in relief as her sugary peace offering helps breaks the ice, Niramo nods her
head. "Yep yep! We'll be careful, don't worry. We're both practical." It's only after Fumiko's
mother walks out of earshot that Niramo feels her shoulders ease up from the tension she was
holding. "Thanks, Fumi-chan. I hate to walk into the wrong apartment." Hopefully the small joke will
help ease the tension a little.

Niramo is certainly impressed she first walks into the living room and how fancy everything is. Yet
at the same time, she also can't help but feel like it's not quite home, more like she is at a
showroom for a real estate company for a model home than Fumiko's home itself. Maybe that's one of
the things Fumiko was trying to warn her about?

"I feel like I should be saying that whenever you come over!" Niramo sets the snack hoard box over
on the table and sets her bookbag gently next to it as well. Feeling like it might be rude to say
something, Niramo hesitates for a moment before speaking up. "I...think it was a good thing I
brought more than enough snacks. I don't want you running out of brownies this time~"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko quietly laughs at the thought of Niramo entering the wrong apartment. "I bet the people
living there would have quite a surprise!" She places a hand on Niramo's shoulder. "So you survived
meeting my mom. Congratulations!"

Fumiko's place was fancier than Niramo's, but.. "I like your place better to be honest. It feels
more... 'real' I guess?" Running out of brownies was quite a threat, so it was a good thing Niramo
disarmed it. "Thanks, that was... yeah. I don't know how that happened. I didn't think I ate THAT
many last time!"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Jokes and congratulations for surviving the first encounter certainly help to ease the mood, and
Niramo smiles softly in response. "Somehow! Honestly wasn't sure that giving a cookie would work
out, but I think we have to agree it was a noble sacrifice." May not have been an actual brownie,
but brownie points are still worth it!

Niramo winces slightly before nodding. "I...didn't want to say anything, but...yeah. I got the same
sense. It's...liking i'm walking onto a TV set?" Best not to dwell on it any further, and Fumiko did
remind Niramo of her rather embarrasing mess up.

Rubbing the back of her neck, Niramo blushes slightly and looks away. "That could have gone way
better, I agree. Sorry again for saying all of that. I have another friend who's really into some
anime and forces me to watch it with him sometime, and just the way you were making a big deal out
of asking about a brownie...that was my bad. I'm sorry." At least Fumiko doesn't have to deal with
all the embarrasment herself. "Geeze, you really had me going there with that joke!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"A... TV set." Fumiko frowns, pondering. "Huh, that... I can see that." She quickly 'turns that
frown upside-down.' "Yeah, maybe I'm in my own TV show! I mean, I do have quite the star power!"

Then the dreaded 'brownie incident' returns. Fumiko giggles, but then takes a deep breath and
sighs. "As funny as that was... I did actually have something important to ask you that day though.
It wasn't about brownies, and it definitely wasn't about us dating. I mean if you asked me out on a date I'd accept since we're good friends but I really don't think you should expect it to go
anywhere, and since we don't like each other like that anyways... that's a... moot point...?"

She trails off, then shakes her head vigorously. "Speaking of points, I think I lost the point again.
Oh, right. Important question. Though that can totally wait as it isn't that important or urgent."
Urgent, no. Important? Fumiko's heart pounds as she delays what she knows to be one of the most
important questions of all time. "The really important question for now is... what should we do
first? Study? Watch TV? Play a game?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo can easily be seen giggling, partly in humor and partly in relief that Fumiko took the TV set
comment well. "Hehe, that you do! I can easily see you being the main character of a sitcom, since
you're so good with thinking on your feet and joking around. As for me...hmmm...maybe 'slice of
life'? Or maybe a cooking game show!"

Fumiko brings up the important question again, and while thankfully skimming over Niramo's mistake,
it's obvious that Fumiko is really worried about whatever the question is. Stumbling over her words,
rambling and then...wait, was she trying to distract Niramo from that question again? It's important
enough that Fumiko actually seems to be scared by it, and this is the same girl who used to play
entire pranks on a class just because! That's very much not like the Fumiko she knows.

Smiling a bit, Niramo walks around the table and takes a seat, but she doesn't go to take her
textbook out. "Well, i'm all for studying first, especially if your mom comes in and sees us goofing
off when we're supposed to be studying. But...maybe you should ask that question first?" If it's
been bothering Fumiko since their last time hanging out together, then maybe it's best to take care
of it now. "You know, like ripping off a bandaid instead of pulling it off slowly. So much quicker
and easier instead of drawing it out!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"You... in a cooking show?" Fumiko smiles sweetly. "I'd LOVE to watch that! Although you can't send
me food through the television..."

However, not everything was light and jokey. Fumiko tenses up when she realizes she's not getting
out of this that easily - wait, Niramo's the one about to be questioned, not her! How is this
turning around on her like this? "You... aren't going to let me drop this, are you? Okay... hold
on."

Fumiko reaches into a coat pocket, and pulls out a beautiful, brilliant bangle. Could Niramo tell
that this was a Miraculous? It would make the question Fumiko was dreading to ask a lot easier. "Are
you... are... I don't even know how to ask this, but I'll try." She takes a deep breath, closes her
eyes, clutches the Miraculous tightly, and...

"Are you a magical girl?" Under her breath, though possibly not inaudible, she mumbles. "There. I
took your advice and just went for it."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo is honestly a little surprised and blushes slightly in embarrasment. "I mean, I don't think
i'm good enough for a show just for m-hey! You just want more of my cooking, huh?!"

Niramo's pressure on Fumiko seems to be what's needed to stop her friend from trying to push off
what's been bothering her! Nodding once, the ravenette does her best to give her friend a bit more
encouragment. "I mean...just seems like you really have something on your mind. Friends help each
other with their burdens. 'More hands make lighter work', right?"

Then Fumiko askes the question, one that Niramo has been dreading for a while now. Fumiko has had
her suspicions about Niramo for a while now, especially after those dodgeballs back at Infinity, and
she can't exactly use a distraction this time. Niramo's ears start to ring and her heartbeat starts
to skyrocket as she tries to figure out some way out of this. "Um...I, whaaat? That's..."

Then Niramo focuses on the shiny bangle Fumiko's currently using as a stress ball, but it's not just
how pristine it is that's catching her attention. Unlike a lot in the apartment, the bangle gives
off the feeling that it's completely real, and there's what looks to be what seems to be a snake
engraved on it. Snake...questioning if Niramo is a magical girl...'I took your advice'...?!

Standing up suddendly in shock and a bit of panic, Niramo points a finger right at Fumiko.
"Slithery?!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The question was asked. The hard part was over, Fumiko thought, but she was wrong. The infinite
amount of time between her asking her best friend if she was a magical girl, and the answer, was the
hardest part. What if... what if Niramo IS NOT a magical girl? What if she somehow knows what that
Miraculous is, but is a normal person - or a villain? This might have been a bad-

'Slithery!?'

No way. Only one person calls Fumiko - or Serpentina - Slithery. Her nervousness is replaced by a
completely stoney expression. "What. No. Squeaks? What the heck." Somehow, she knew that it was
true, and things added up, but... it just seemed too weird. Too much of a coincidence. She just
stares at her twice-friend.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo's dramatic finger point and raised voice was sure to make people jump, flinch or at least
raise an eyebrow. Instead...Fumiko is giving her the look of something who's not really believing
what she's seeing. Hearing the name 'Squeaks' absolutely seals it as well, since only one person
says that. So what does Niramo do in this situation?

She just laughs at just how absurd it is. Deeply relieved laughter coming from her gut that just is
enough to shake her body.

Pulling herself together but still shaking with bottled giggles, Niramo leans down to remove
something from her right leg and places it on the table for Fumiko to see. A gleaming silver anklet
with a mouse etched on it.

Sitting back down again and openly giggling at Fumiko across from her, Niramo takes a moment to
collect herself. Beaming at her friend-scratch that, her partner in crime stopping, Niramo just
shrugs her shoulders. "You know, when I was giving you advice for your friend, I wasn't expecting it
to be me."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko continues to stare when Niramo starts laughing. Why is Niramo laughing? Is this just some
elaborate joke? Has she been tricked?

Then Niramo shows an anklet with a mouse design, and Fumiko smiles strangely. "Hm. This.... yep.
This is officially weird. Someone is really doing something with fate here." She releases a couple
small laughs, wobbling slightly. "Maybe this really is a set from a TV show?"

Fumiko stays wobbly and giggly for a while, but takes a seat and shakes some of the cobwebs out of
her head. "Huh, yeah, I wasn't expecting to use your advice on you either. I guess we are such good
friends we became friends twice! Hm... I thought you'd be taller~"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

With her giggling fit finally starting to ease off, Niramo just nods her head in agreement. "I mean,
I don't know if fate is really a thing in real life as it is in the games, but stranger things have
happened." Looks like her giggling fit is starting to catch up with Fumiko! "And I don't think so,
this would be a really weird show if it was."

Niramo is actually starting to worry about Fumiko since she really does seem a bit out of it. She
did suspect Niramo was a magical girl, but being Sourisi must not have been it. Heck, she thought
Fumiko was completely in the unknown about magic, and now she's actually Serpentina?...she could
kinda see it, but...magic is weird like that.

And Fumiko comfirms it! "I mean, we really did get along pretty well with the masks on, so...yeah,
you're right." And plus...maybe knowing who Serpentina is might help them work together a little be-
...waaaait a minute.

"H-hey! I just haven't had my growth spurt yet. Any day now, it's gonna happen!...a-and my boots
make me a little taller." Despite knowing that Fumiko is just teasing her, Niramo can't help but
pout and look away with an embarrased blush coloring her cheeks.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko finally seems to recover. "Yeah... who would have thought a mouse and a snake could be such
good friends, right? Haha... but wow, to find out your best friend is also your secret ally against
the forces of evil is quite a shock. I... knew something was up but to think that I asked you on
advice on how to ask you this... I'm still... wow..."

When Fumiko gets a reaction out of Niramo about her height, she giggles and gently pats her
friend's head. "Yeah, you'll be taller than me, I'm sure~ And I was just teasing. And... now is the
part where you find something to tease me about so I don't feel bad for 'making fun of you' when I
was just trying to break the weird atmosphere of it all." She seems almost as embarrassed as Niramo,
looking away from her.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Even as Fumiko is starting to get over the shock of the truth, Niramo is starting to deal with it
herself. A part of her has been hoping for this moment for a while now, and now that it's here, it's
completely different than what she imagined. Sure, she has friends and people she look up to that
she can count on, but Serpentina is a great friend outside of saving Tokyo during the night. They
have talked with one another, shared stories with one another...and now they really know who each
other is.

Getting patted on the head just makes Niramo pout all that much fiercer. "I know...and...well, you
give really tight hugs, you know that? I'm just glad that i'm more durable when i'm wearing my
mask!" Playfully acting like she's rubbing at a bruised rib, Niramo takes the anklet off the table
and clips it back on her leg.

With that, Niramo stands up and moves around the table before giving Fumiko a tight hug.
"...and...thanks for taking my advice. I'm glad it worked out, you know?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo is Sourisi. Fumiko's friend is Serpentina's friend. While there was a tiny bit of
disappointment that she didn't make two friends, Fumiko is overjoyed to be able to share something
this special with her best friend. She trusted Sourisi before with her life, but... now the trust is
immeasurably deeper. Friends on and off the battlefield, able to be there for each other through the
supernatural disasters and the mundane struggles. This was true friendship.

So Fumiko treated it with the gravity and importance it deserved. "I give tight hugs, huh? Like
THIS?" She squeezes Niramo in a hug that would make a boa constrictor jealous, then lets go and
slips the Miraculous bangle onto her arm. "...well... thanks for GIVING that advice! Of all the
girls who could be Sourisi, I'm glad it is you. You mean a lot to me in both forms. You really are
my best friend, and now I know our friendship is stronger than youmas and akumas and everything
else. I was scared to ask you today, but I'm glad I did."

2021-06-13 - Arcade California

2021-06-17T00:55:04Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Arcade California'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Following the rumors of students acting abnormally due to a new arcade, Fuu and Niramo go to investigate. Nearly falling under the addictive spell themselves, the Wind Knight and Miraculous Ninja take on the master of the Midnight Arcade.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fuu Hououji]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Midnight Arcade - Akihabara Electric Town
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
6/13/2021 - 12/1/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Akihabara Electric Town +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Brave Akihabara, holy land of nerds, Akihabara of the cartoony signs and
gumball-machine colors. One can buy anything in Akihabara, as long as it is
computer gear, electronics or anime merchandise. The main strip is the
glitziest, with a large percentage of the visible building faces covered in
electronic signs, huge posters, or garish paint jobs, and there one can
purchase coveted new items at (or just a hair before) their street dates.
The streets to either side are home to a messier brand of store, where one
can, with a little luck and persistence, find used goods like that rare
out-of-print first edition Sailor V figurine or vanity press Pretty Cure
doujinshi. These smaller stores compete ferociously for space, and can be
found crammed into alleyways and spilling out onto sidewalks as well as in
more standard configuration.

Those whose tastes run more to programming than fandom can find the area,
also known as Akihabara Electric Town, quite rewarding as well. It's the
perfect place to shop for computer parts and other gadgets for projects both
personal and paranormal, with the venue ranging from a posh cutting-edge
robotics store on the main strip, to tiny stalls wedged into alleys that
sell high-grade electronics on the cheap. The latter category manage this
feat of thrift by selling unpackaged items taken from wholesale lots, and
piled up for display like supermarket apples.

It's relatively safe to be seen wearing unusual clothing here; it's likely
to be taken for cosplay, or the uniform of one of the diversely themed maid
cafes.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The Midnight Arcade practically appeared overnight. People swore that building wasn't there
before, but no construction equipment nor any noise alerted anyone to its creation. The arcade was
simple in shape - a small boxy building with windows and an automatic door, not much different than
many others. However, it was painted deep black with no shine whatsoever. The glass of the windows
and door were darkly tinted, making it difficult to see inside, but what was visible was a large
collection of arcade games. The sign on the top declared it to be 'Midnight Arcade' with the words
seperated by a stylized moon graphic.

The inside seemed to be larger than the outside. The collection of games that could be seen from
the outside was nothing compared to the practical labyrinth that could be seen once entered all the
way. It was hard to see how far back the games truly went, as the only lights were neon and black
lights, making the art in the posters on the wall practically pop out.

Before anyone can enter, however, they have to pass a counter ran by a very tall, thin lady in a
purple dress. Her short black hair stands out against her pale skin. She eagerly waves and awaits
anyone walking in, and even blocks their path with a cane with a joystick for a handle. It seems
that she has something to say.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Good video games are addictive. This is something that Fuu knows, as a fan of several video games -
one might say she's a gamer in her own right, and she'd be hard pressed to argue.

But there are different kinds of addictivity. A *really good* game just inspires the desire to keep
trying after you hit the dreaded Game Over screen: to pick yourself up, dust ourself off, and try
again, or to go back and look at how you'd prepared for a fight and see how you might need to change
your approach. Hearing a couple of her juniors chatting about this arcade that they *just had* to go
back to - even at the expense of doing their homework, or going home for supper, or going to school
the next day ... she's seen that kind of addictiveness before.

That's not good game design at work. At least, not *just* good game design.

So, after setting up a relatively mundane 'safety net' - namely, asking her big sister Kuu to start
ringing Fuu's cellphone off the proverbial hook if she's not home by a certain time - Fuu ventures
to Akihabara, nominally part of her stomping grounds, to seek out the 'Midnight Arcade' and see
what's so special about it. She's hoping that the glove-jewel tucked away in a pocket is an
unnecessary precaution, but it's there all the same.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

At the constantly turning rumor mill at Juuban, among the reports of Christmas miracles,
questionable shops and reports of difficult pop quizzes, are the rumors about a new arcade in
Akihabara. With an exterior as dark and mysterious as they come, it stands out all the more due to
not using excessive amounts of neon lights to promote some sort of holiday special. Add onto it the
reports of normally studious students with busy social lives suddendly skipping a day or two just to
go to the arcade? Either it was one of the best arcades to grace the streets of Tokyo or there was
something more going on behind the scenes!

Now video games are pretty addicting! Niramo knows that pretty well, even if her games are
considered retro nowadays. But making people completely change their habits and ignore studying
right before finals? It's enough to send alarm bells ringing in her head.

Entering into the arcade with a sigh of relief from the wind, Niramo tugs down her scarf so it
wasn't bunched all around her mouth. While feeling like she's flaunting an advantage just because
the enchanted scarf keeps her perfectly warm, it's still windy enough outside that the cold finds
ways to get through sometimes.

Hearing the door open behind her, Niramo is pleasantly surprised to see Fuu coming in. Seems like
Niramo isn't the only one wanting to check out the Arcade either! Niramo waves at the blonde and
smiles at her. "Hey Fuu-san! Wanting to check out the new arcade too?" Maybe it really is just a
normal arcade and there's nothing devious going on...but she's not so sure about that.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

At the entrance, the counter lady widely grins and blocks the path in further with her cane. She
takes a deep breath, and...

"Welcome to the Midnight Arcade? Or is it just Midnight Arcade, the 'the' sounds better in it.
Anyways, we have a special going on for the grand opening for a whole month- or four weeks,
technically that's a month but we didn't start on the first so... anyways anyways, if you let me
stamp your hand with today's stamp, you get ten free tokens! But you gotta show me your hands so I
know you didn't already come in and sneak out and back in for more tokens and... er... anyways,
would you like to take advantage of the promotion? That's ten one-token game, or five two-token
games, or three one-token and one two-token or... anyways anyways anyways, how about it?"

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"Ah, Niramo-san, good afternoon to you," Fuu greets the Juuban student with a smile and a bow.
Rather than a heavy muffler, Fuu's buttoned her coat up as far as the collar will go, plus an
understated pair of earmuffs to keep the cold away. She would say more, but the counter attendant is
playing turnstile - and advertisement, at the same time.

Fuu is quick enough to show her hands, as yet unstamped. "What's the normal price for tokens?" she
inquires. While the offer of free tokens is certainly tempting, she's not sure whether the stamp
itself might be part of what makes the Midnight Arcade so attractive to its customers. She can at
least take one factor out of the equation, one way or the other, if she refrains from getting
stamped.

She won't make that decision for Niramo, though.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The counter lady has a really odd way of speaking, like she's unsure of what she should say and
babbling a lot to fill the air. But the general gist of what she's saying is pretty clear. There is
a promotion going on, but you need to be stamped to get the free tokens? While it's pretty tempting,
that sounds like an easy way to get addicted if this place is using magic. Niramo holds up both of
her hands and twists them around a few times to show there wasn't a drop of ink on her skin.

Rather than moving closer to get stamped though, Niramo pulls out a thousand yen bill out of her
bookbag. "I'll take whatever this will get me! If I find some games that I really do like I might
come back to the front for the stamp and tokens, but I got a dance teacher who will give me grief
for showing 'ink' without a good reason for it."

Ye-jin really will give her grief if she wasn't careful, so she has a real reason for not wanting to
get stamped!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The counter lady frowns, but shrugs. "Well, that's better for the arcade's bottom line," she jokes.
"Let's see... um... ah right! 1000 yen for 10 tokens! You'd be saving 1000 yen if you got your hands
stamped but I'm not gonna force you! Just try to have as much fun as possible! The more fun you
have, the better the arcade does, or something, I think. I mean, that and you go through tokens
faster and have to buy m- er... have a nice day!" She exchanges currency for tokens and lets Niramo
and Fuu through, into the maze of arcade games.

And a maze it was. There weren't just rows and rows of every game imaginable, they were also set up
in branching paths, almost easy to get lost in if not for the floor patterns leading back to the
entrance. There were also black lights near many of the machines, some of which had custom art on it
that glows in the lights, or even in the dark. There are scores of kids playing arcade games, and
all of them look like they are having fun, though some do seem a little tired as if they've been
playing too long. And a shout of 'yes!' followed by the sound of pouring metal bits could be heard
from a corner.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

With a thousand yen worth of tokens now in her pocket, Fuu makes her way into the arcade's
labyrinthine interior ... and she wishes that wasn't a figure of speech; between the regular
darkness, the strategically placed black lights, the branching paths, and the general hubbub, it
seems far too easy to get lost in the game center. Even *with* the carpet's guiding patterns ...
which, if there's supernatural skulduggery afoot, would make it *very easy indeed* to only get led
deeper into the arcade, rather than back out for air.

"We should probably stick together, Niramo-san," Fuu suggests to her de facto companion. The
triumphant shout distracts her, though, and Fuu cranes her neck trying to find the source of that
payout noise. Pachinko machines? ... ah well.

"Was there anything specific you'd like to play?" she asks Niramo. Fuu has a couple of games she
wouldn't mind seeking out, but Niramo was, at least technically, ahead of her - and it's always
interesting to find out what somebody else likes.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo happily exchanges money for the 10 tokens and quickly examines them in the lobby, due to all
the blacklights in the arcade itself. The tokens look like they're completely normal, so they should
be safe to handle! Slipping them into a pocket in her school uniform, Niramo waits for Fuu to
exchange any currency first before walking in with her together.

Once they're out of earshot of the counter cashier, Niramo speaks up so she can be heard over the
din of bleeps and bloops from the machines around them. "She really wanted to stamp us, huh? You
would think they would just give out vouchers or something to be redeemed. Pretty old school!" She
doesn't want to say too much while she's around gamers, at least Niramo can voice how odd it was.

The lighting in the arcade itself makes the natural maze of arcade cabinets easier to get lost in
on, adding on to the retro feel of the place. With the glow in the dark artwork and bright colors,
it's like a time capsule from the 80's!

Nodding in agreement with Fuu, the shout over the constant barrage of noise draws Niramo's attention
away for a moment. Pachinko machines were in here?! She's pretty sure that's not supposed to be
here.

"Well, I like playing racing and shooting games, though i'm not the best at the latter. Beat 'em ups
are what I usually go for though!" Looking around for a moment, Niramo spots an older cabinet
featuring a fantasy group of fighters, complete with a dwarf and an elf against a wall. "Whao, I
only seen pictures of this one online. Oh, what kind of games do you enjoy?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

There were games of all kinds here, and many were calling Niramo and Fuu's names. Not literally of
course, although... in certain lights, the games look super appealing, though not sinisterly so.
Just that some looked more fun than any seen in other arcades, by a small margin. However, some of
the games that interest Fuu but not Niramo and some of the games that interest Niramo but not Fuu
are in different parts of the arcade. Could they find a machine they both enjoy that is multiplayer?
Or are they fated to go their seperate ways? The tension, the drama, the excitement mounts - okay,
maybe not.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

With a sheepish smile, Fuu replies, "Most of the games I like aren't really arcade games,
unfortunately. Role-playing games, some of the Zelda series ... there are a few 'beat-em-ups' that I
do enjoy, though," she admits. "I'm not that good at Golden Axe, but -"

Niramo spots the cabinet before Fuu does, but the blonde's eyes light up almost intensely enough for
her glasses to reflect a rare beam from one of the ceiling fixtures. "You haven't played Tower of
Doom before, Niramo-san? Seriously? You're in for a treat; it's not just a classic, but a point in
gaming history in some ways. Will you let me pay for your first credit, as well?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Maybe it's just a trick of the light or the general atmosphere, but the games here seem a bit more
engaging than they would back at the Crown. Maybe it really is just a bunch of students suddendly
becoming addicted to games because of the entry giveaway? Or maybe she just haven't dig deep enough
into the arcade yet? And then there's how tired some people here looked...did they know that it was
the afternoon outside?

Fuu certainly has a great choice in games, where the home market is concerned. "I'm in the same area
with the old consoles I got back home. I can't tell you how many times I replayed Link to the Past!"
Niramo is starting to get a little worried they might have to split up just to find something they
both like.

Thankfully the Tower of Doom stands as a beacon of light in the darkness. Niramo is surprised by
just how much Fuu seems to know about the game. "Nope, but I heard it's one of the really good ones
back in it's day."

Niramo holds up her own token and nods in agreement. "Sure, but I get to pay for your first life
whenever you go down. Unless you're one of those super fans that can beat a game in one life!"
Niramo rests her hands on the counter and slides a token towards whatever controls Fuu is going to
be taking over. It's pretty hard to hand extra tokens over during the heat of battle.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The Tower of Doom was the perfect choice. In fact, it was perfectly perfect, with everything
perfect about it even more perfect. It was at just the right difficulty, shop items were the right
price, items were plentiful without being too easy to obtain, the graphics really shined even for
the game - though saying they were better than normal was hard, they certainly felt like they were
better. All in all, it was perfect for playing as long as Fuu and Niramo wanted, maybe even longer.
And the blacklights were pretty cool, too.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"I'm not *that* good at it," Fuu admits. She takes the player 1 controls, if Niramo doesn't mind
being player 2, and picks the elf as her adventurer. Soon thereafter, the two adventurers are making
their way through the forest, fighting monsters and collecting stray treasure ... Things go pretty
smoothly, even the first boss fight.

"I don't think I've actually cleared the troll before without having to continue," Fuu muses during
the shop scene in between stages. She doesn't seem overly focused on critiquing the game's settings;
she's having a hard time just remembering to stay suspicious of the arcade as a whole. But they do
have some time to relax and actually *play* - just because their suspicions were up doesn't mean
they can't enjoy themselves too, especially if it turns out everything's on the up-and-up.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo went with the Elf for her character as well and is quite enjoying the blend of melee and
magic that the character brings to the battlefield. There was a death here and there, but it was
pretty rare consider to how hard the internet said this game was. In game cash was the perfect
amount to keep extra weapons supplied and her character healthy, nothing that felt overwhelming and
completely unfair, and the game ran as smoothly as butter. Plus, with two elves leading the warpath,
the monsters stood little chance against them.

"The branching paths is pretty cool as well! A lot of games are really linear, and it makes you want
to play again to check out the different stages." Fuu's expertise is helpful to the newbie, such as
the fact the troll had to be set on fire to take it down completely.

Nothing really stands out as supernatural and magical, besides what's going onscreen. Niramo can
start to see why the Midnight Arcade is drawing in quite a crowd.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The levels go by pretty quickly, or at least seem to. It is hard to tell how much time has passed.
The game just keeps getting better and better... and better... it could be played all day. In
fact...

But something doesn't feel right. Something is wrong - no nothing is just keep playing - but it is
hard to figure out what. Though it was something that was magical... something... evil.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The more and more that Niramo and Fuu played, the better is just seemed to get. From what Niramo
heard of Tower of Doom, it can be a little janky with difficulty spikes at key points designed to
eat up extra coins. Then again, it likely was designed like that for the arcades. Yet they seem to
be doing just fine and nothing was too hard, too diffcult...and too cheap. They seem to be playing a
perfect game...but it was too perfect.

With that thought, Niramo has to mentally wrench herself back from focusing on the gameplay, and
reaches into her bookbag for her phone. It's likely a good idea to check what the time was.
"Geeze...a lot more going on here, and almost fell for it too. Fuu-san, we should take a break and
head out...this isn't right." Her hands doesn't even feel cramped from constantly tapping at the
buttons for who knows how long.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

How long have they been playing? Fuu lets go of the joystick for a moment, pushing her glasses up to
rub her eyes, then flexing her hands a bit. Even the most comfortable joystick isn't *that*
comfortable to hold for long. Niramo seems to have had a similar idea, and Fuu glances at her own
phone, grimacing as she sees the time. "Some fresh air would do both of us good," she agrees.
There's supposed to be a way to save their progress ... but the blonde shakes her head, collecting
her things. Let somebody else take advantage of a game in progress if they're so inclined -
nothing's riding on the game's actual outcome.

Falling victim to the arcade's trap, however, would be a *major* problem - and they almost did so,
if Niramo hadn't shaken herself loose and pulled Fuu with her.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Nobody seems to stop Niramo and Fuu, but every light they pass under, every arcade cabinet they
pass, the urge to play 'just one more game' hits. Subtly at first, just like an increasing
addiction, but soon almost feels like the arcade games really ARE calling out to them! Out of the
corner of one's eye, a character seems to wave. The music from another machine sounds like the most
beautiful song ever. And one of the best games seems to have been accidentally set to free-play. If
it is possible to escape the siren call of the games, and push past some of the kids who seem just a
bit out of it but relatively healthy, perhaps they can make it as far as the counter - where the
lady once again blocks the path with her cane, this time from the other direction.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"I guess it wasn't a matter of the hand stamps after all," Fuu observes, fighting the impulse to let
herself get sidetracked. It's a little easier to fight the urge down when it's *this* blatant - a
subtler call might be taken for her own desire, and a 'one more game won't hurt' would be less
blatant if it weren't all but being shouted by the number of screens beckoning for her gaze, music
and sound effects clamoring for her ears' focus. But when she knows the impulse is coming from
outside, and from this many directions, it's easier to dig in her mental heels and keep forging
towards the exit -

At least until the exit is barred by the attendant's cane.

"You have quite the impressive arcade here, ma'am," Fuu says with her normal friendly smile and her
typical polite tone. "How hard was it to find this many classic arcade cabinets and clean them up
for a modern audience? Did it cost the management much money?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Wincing at the time displayed on her phone, Niramo mentally chides herself. She was expecting
something devious, it's the whole reason she came here in the first place, but to almost fall in the
trap herself? She gotten lucky, plain and simple. "Yeah...the games are part of it too. I might
actually get home after my mom for once."

Following in Fuu's wake, the ravenette can feel the arcade trying to call her back to the games with
its' siren song. Rare classics that didn't have anyone hogging it for once, the latest and greatest
with the most engaging attract mode possible? The arcade has both of them in spades, and it's a
gamer's paradise. So idealist, that you never wanted to leave.

And the last time Niramo was in a place like that, she got to spend time with a sister that could
have been. That comparison has Niramo clenching her left fist to keep herself focused on following
after Fuu.

Reaching the front, Niramo smiles politely towards the counter lady with her cane, but her eyes are
glancing around her for a moment. She swore she saw that Ohtori student playing Street Fighter 2
hours ago, and they haven't moved! "It really must have taken quite a while and a lot of effort to
get everything going again. A lot of parts some of the older machines uses are not made anymore, so
it must have taken you a while." And while it's nice to be polite, the cane lady was blocking the
way back out. Might be time to push and see if she can get a reaction. "I think me and my friend
spent a little too long here though, so we should be going. Might have to see about coming back in a
month or so!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Leaving so soon?" The counter lady smiles, but her eyes glare and she gives off an aura of evil.
However, that smile turns genuine, the glare turns excited, and the aura of evil dissipates by half
and replaced by one of glee. "Oh, this collection is my life's work! But it really didn't take that
long. But it took soooo much effort. I mean Pac-man and Drum Master? Super common, super easy. But I
saw you playing Tower of Doom, now that was a find! And I even have Tron, Discs of Tron, and
Sinistar - the latter isn't that rare but it is a duramold! I'm so excited and - what do you mean
you're leaving? How- I mean why? You still have tokens!" Some of the anger and malicious energy
returns.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"Presumably the tokens will still be just as valid in a month's time as they are today, yes?" smiles
Fuu. "And you have the money we paid for them; neither of us are asking to trade them back in for
money. Really, our keeping the tokens is a promise to return, and if you let us leave without a
fight, that raises the odds that we'd invite more of our game-loving friends to visit the next
time."

Fuu's smile ebbs *just* a little, her glasses glinting again as she looks at the lady behind the
counter. She did not miss that aura of malice, and she doesn't miss it returning now. "On the other
hand, if there's something more precious than our money which you're trying to collect ... such as
life energy, or emotional power ... you may find us less inclined to lead others into your
clutches."

If Fuu had any actual doubts about this arcade being a den of evildoing, she'd be less open about
suspecting the supernatural. But she *recognizes* that twinge in her gut when the attendant gives
off that aura of evil ... and while she's not taking an outwardly aggressive stance, her left hand
has dipped into her coat pocket, fingers working their way into her glove-jewel.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

While the counter lady and apparent owner seems really happy with herself for just how much the
games are being appreciated, it doesn't take a genius to realize that she wasn't just making sure
they were enjoying themselves. Fuu is quick to point out that there's no reason to be mad either.
Niramo acts like she's casually checking something on her phone, but she's actually using the camera
mode to make sure all the players are completely enthralled by their games.

"Gamers put in a lot of time, effort and dedication into their favorite games, but making them so
tired that they skip school and sleep in just to come back in here? Not many students would throw
away their futures like that, unless something was driving them to come back, you know?" Niramo
looks the owner directly in the eyes and smiles, but with a slight edge in her voice. "And those
that tries to enact evil plans tend to have them ruined by bands of do-good adventurers."

Niramo leans in close to whisper to Fuu. "I don't think anyone is watching, Fuu-san. Should be fine
here if we need to." Things might get chaotic pretty soon, and Niramo shakes a leg gently to make
sure her anklet is free. A glance down towards her bookbag has her just barely catching a tiny
thumbs up aimed up at her.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Hmm... you're right." The lady frowns and nods. "I should let you go, there's no need for me to
keep you here against your will, you wouldn't want to come back!" She looks at the cane, ready to
lift it...

Then Fuu and Niramo mention things they shouldn't know about. "Oh. Hm. You're THOSE kind of girls,
aren't you? Here to ruin my plans. Not letting me just gather energy in peace. Look! Nobody has
died, everyone's having fun, I'm getting lots of tasty energy, and everyone will eventually leave
and go home and come back later! Where's the harm in that? Nobody is even a little-"

As she spoke, a boy on a nearby arcade game passes out due to lack of energy. The lady cringes,
then sighs. "...that wasn't supposed to happen. Guess we can't talk this one out now? Shame."

Suddenly, she's gone. Only to be seen in the center of a bunch of games, all of which are sucked
into her somehow. The whole arcade expands, seemingly now going on forever for real. People with
their wits still about them run to the exit, and she makes no effort in stopping them. Her skin
turns pale blue and her lips purple, her hair starts to turn into a helmet, and armor slowly appears
all over her body. The upper half of her face is covered in a boxy black helmet with purple
branching lines patterning it, and a visor hides her eyes. The rest of her is similarly covered in
black, bulky, blocky armor, with purple Space Invaders aliens painted on the sides of her body,
arms, and legs; the front and back are covered in branching purple lines like her helmet. Jutting
out of her shoulderpads are black joysticks with purple knobs on the end - complete with purple
directional arrow markers - and in the middle of her chest are six pale blue arcade cabinet buttons
slightly staggered. Her smaller gauntless and armored boots are pure purple. With how bulky her
armor is, it looks as if she shouldn't even be able to move.

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue transforms into Youma Form Arcadra!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has fully healed herself. She is now ready to take on 2 opponents!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

True enough, a moment ago nobody was really paying attention up front; now everyone's trying to get
out, and most of them are headed for the front doors. Ironically, that makes the behind-the-counter
space formerly occupied by the 'attendant' a safer place to duck for cover, both visual and traffic-
wise, while the civilians are fleeing.

It's only after the crowd has cleared out that the Magic Knight of Wind rises back into view, taking
in the arcade monster's form. "And there would be the *actual* boss fight," she observes with good-
natured resignation. "Now I have to ask all over again: did you really track down all those vintage
arcade machines? Or were they conjured up for the sake of this energy-gathering operation?" 'Too
good to be true' does seem likely to apply.

She doesn't quite give Arcadra time to reply before casting: "Winds of Admonishment!"

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji transforms into Wind Knight!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Admonishment on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The cane lady admits to being what both Niramo and Fuu has been suspecting, but doesn't immediately
seem to be attacking the duo. It's certainly wrong to eat life energy from the innocent people of
Tokyo, but the lady seemingly only wants to skim off the top. But even that small amount of energy
from so many people was already disrupting quite a few lives. Niramo raises her hand to point a
finger to dispute this...and then blinks as one of the addicts completely falls over on his feet.
That was certainly more than just a little!

Niramo takes the cue of flying arcade machines slamming together and quickly moves for the cover of
the the cashier's office. "Well, game night was nice while it lasted, Fuu-san. Tail, sprout!" Golden
light flows over Niramo's form, replacing her school uniform with the full bodysuit of Sourisi,
complete with eye mask and tail.

Hopping back into the arcade proper and pulling the fallen boy into the cashier office, Sourisi just
shakes her head at just how cumbersome this monsterous armor is. "I hate to say it, but I think you
might need to cash out a bit!" With that, Sourisi flicks her tonfa free of their clasps in a quick
throw, sending the enchanted tonfa flying to smash into the arcadic armor.

COMBAT: Niramo Umokeshi transforms into Sourisi!
COMBAT: Sourisi has used Crashing Tooth on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue fails to dodge Sourisi's Crashing Tooth, taking 36 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue partially dodges 4 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Winds of Admonishment,
taking 16 Fatigue damage! Fuu Hououji is Psyched! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities
activate! Cripple applied to Fumiko Inoue!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"You should have just kept playing," the armored arcade aberration announces. "I am Arcadra, and
you shall fall before- hey!"

Suddenly, Arcadra is struck by a flying tonfa and is knocked back a lot farther than she should
have been - right next to a pinball machine she places a hand on and absorbs. Before she has time to
do anything else, she's hit with another, more windy attack, throwing her into a rail shooter game -
also absorbed. Despite the hits, she's still grinning. Her right hand suddenly has a plastic light
gun in it, and her left arm... it completely transforms. It is now a glass tube with a spring-loaded
pinball plunger inside, complete with giant pinball.

The plunger pulls back... and she quickly fires a pot-shot with the light gun at Fuu. A sudden
flash fills the room as the near-invisible shot hurdles towards Fuu. Then she switches targets and
arms, releasing the tension in the plunger to launch a huge, heavy pinball at Niramo.

"You both love arcades, just like me! Why couldn't that be enough? We could've been friends but you
had to be all moral and ethical and magical and stuff! I wanted to talk to you about looking for
Aztarac!"

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Light Gun on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Pinball Cannon on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji cleanly braces 17 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Light Gun, taking 3 Fatigue
damage! Fuu Hououji's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Sourisi perfectly dodges 45 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Pinball Cannon, taking 0
Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Critical Dodge! Sourisi's Fade and Flash abilities activate!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

A hastily-summoned wind barrier diffuses much of the light gun's bolt, although the Wind Knight
still recoils from the measure of the flash which passes her defenses. "You think the trap you built
here didn't hurt *us* as well, Arcadra-san?" she calls out, doing her best to stay on the move - and
also taking note of the other machines' absorption. The monster's form isn't as static as it could
be, if she can still assimilate additional game cabinets to keep herself going and swap in new
weapons or abilities.

How terrifying would it be if this arcade had a Rockman machine too?

While she's angling for another attack (and looking for weaknesses), the Wind Knight continues,
"*We* were ensnared by it, almost as tightly as your other victims. It was a fun game, yes, but you
would have kept us here far longer than healthy, compelled us to come back even at he expense of
school and health and budgets. If we hadn't had the strength of will to pry ourselves loose, even
suspecting trouble before we came in, we would have been hurt just as badly as the neighbors and
schoolmates we're worried about!"

The Wind Knight's sword flares into existence, and she charges in low, stabbing at what seems to be
a chink in Arcadra's armor - and then leaping upwards, trying to drag the blade through the
monster's frame for increased damage.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Unorthodox Swordplay on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi smiles as the twin tonfa strike home and sends Arcadra flying into an machine, and then the
Wind Knight's wind launching it into another. That smile quickly fades as both machines are added
into the armor itself, and Sourisi can't help but groan a little. "Uh oh...it gets stronger by
assimilation?!"

The sudden flash of the light gun takes Sourisi by surprise, startling her and making
her jump. This reaction from the light gun has Sourisi jumping in time to completely dodge the
massive steel pinball, though several other pinball machines are not so lucky. Landing on top of a
Galaga machine, the Mouse that Roars catches her twin tonfa as they return and begins to close the
distance.

"I'm sure we could have been great friends, but your life eating habits can kill people! You were
careful and still had someone faint, and an accident can easily happen. It's for that very reason
why we have to stop you now before someone does get hurt!" Sourisi rushes in the wake of Fuu's
charge, swinging both of her tonfa around in a twirling display of skill and destructive might at
Arcadra's armored legs. That much bulk has to be weighing her down, so time to see if she can be
toppled!

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Mouse Flurry on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue counters 11 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Unorthodox Swordplay, taking 11
Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Fumiko Inoue's Reverse and Tactician abilities activate! Stagger
applied to Fumiko Inoue!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue's counterattack, C-c-combo Breaker, partially gets through, doing 13 Fatigue
damage to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue counters 6 Fatigue damage from Sourisi's Mouse Flurry, taking 17 Fatigue
damage! Sourisi is Psyched! Fumiko Inoue's Reverse and Tactician abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue's counterattack, C-c-combo Breaker, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue
damage to Sourisi!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Arcadra shrieks as the arcade cabinets are destroyed by her own cannonpinball. A few unpleasant
words later, and she prepares for another attack - only to be bombarded with attacks from Sourisi
and the Wind Knight. She is pummeled and stabbed... but grins. Before too much damage is done to
her, she spins with her arms out, striking anyone unfortunate enough to be in the way while also
creating a shockwave that sends everything near her flying. She then zips over to another area,
absorbing both a Tron cabinet and one of those motorcycle racing games with the rideable bike. Her
legs vanish and are replaced by a black and purple futuristic bike, sparks of darkness spitting out
of the back. She revs up and charges, aiming her weapons once again - but crosses her arms and fires
opposite this time. "Why do you humans have to be so fragile I just wanted the energy I didn't want
anyone hurt can't you be stronger I mean you two clearly are stronger and faster and still like
arcades and ... so just give up and play!"

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Light Gun on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Pinball Cannon on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Sourisi fails to brace Fumiko Inoue's Light Gun, taking 25 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji dodges 14 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Pinball Cannon, taking 21 Fatigue
damage! Fuu Hououji's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Stagger applied to Fuu Hououji!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Whatever satisfaction the Wind Knight might have obtained from her sword striking home is starkly
outweighed by getting clotheslined, sent flying, and hurled further still by the shockwave that
Arcadra put out with the maneuver. And unlike the youma, the Wind Knight *can't* regenerate by being
thrown into a hapless arcade machine. She's still regaining her bearings from that series of impacts
when an oversized pinbal gets launched at her, and while she's able to avoid getting flattened by
it, she still gets spun around again by the graze, coming to a wobbly halt.

Melee really doesn't seem to be a good option in this fight, is one of the Wind Knight's more lucid
thoughts as she's trying to regain her equilibrium. It might work, but Arcadra's so heavily armored,
and she's stronger in close combat. Or at least, it feels like it.

So she lets her sword disappear, raising her hands in front of her and gathering her magic again.
"Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi!" calls the green-clad Magic Knight, unleashing one of her heavier attack
spells: not the heaviest she has, but one she's had to be careful with in the past - although in
this fight, collateral damage (as long as Sourisi isn't caught in it) doesn't seem as bad as it
could be. Besides, busting extra arcade machines *should* cut down on Arcadra's options.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi's smashing assault is causing several cracks to form in Arcadra's leg armor, spreading
outwards with each successful thwack. That heafy armor is absorbing much of her blows, but it also
makes the energy stealing fiend predictable as well, with noticable tells. Leaping backwards to get
out of range of those spining arms, the miraculous ninja frowns as the armor she was working on
suddendly changes shape into a bicycle. Arcadra can fix any damage they do, even if it does come at
the cost of her collection.

Eyeing the pinball cannon carefully to get ready to dodge a slow moving ball, Sourisi falls for the
feint! A bright flash of light, and Sourisi stumbles back as if she was hit by a bullet. She
actually wasn't since it was made of pure light, but it /stung/.

Seeing the Wind Knight narrowly avoiding making an imprint in some machines does give Sourisi an
idea. Running over to the pinball that she managed to dodge earlier, Sourisi grabs it with both of
her hands and heft it up with some effort. Spinning around to get the momentum and becoming a bit of
a blur, Sourisi lets the steel ball fly once she sees the tornado that the Wind Knight has called
up. "Special delivery for the final boss!"

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Right Back At Ya! on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue dodges 12 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi, taking
18 Fatigue damage! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue partially dodges 6 Fatigue damage from Sourisi's Right Back At Ya!, taking 26
Fatigue damage! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities activate!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Arcadra zigs and zags, dodges and weaves, but cannot entirely dodge the attacks. A pinball sends
her spinning out of control as part of the Storm-Dance clips her armor, taking a chunk out.

"Whywhywhywhy" she cries, becoming more and more incoherent.

"IjustwantedtoIjustinsertcoinpressstartwhywhywhyplayplayplay aaaargh! You aren't going anywhere
until you play more more moremoremore!" Out of her damaged armor fly out strange, pixelated blue and
pink... insects? Aliens? Spaceships? They swoop down at the two heroes, but then do a loop and fly
overhead, hovering above them. Then they fire rings down... trying to pull them up with tractor
beams.

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Tractor Beam on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Tractor Beam on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Sourisi dodges 4 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Tractor Beam, taking 3 Fatigue damage!
Sourisi's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji decisively counters 9 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Tractor Beam, taking 3
Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Trap applied to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji's counterattack, Trick Arrow Shot, partially gets through, doing 13 Fatigue
damage to Fumiko Inoue!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

For all that Fuu isn't a routine player of shoot-em-ups, *this* is a technique so old that she's
seen it in action anyway - if not in the original context, then in call-outs embedded in other
games. Rather than freaking out when the tractor beam scoops her up, the Magic Knight of Wind
readies her bow and an arrow, aiming upwards as her booted feet drift away from the floor - and when
she looses, the arrow takes out not only the 'bug' that was trying to capture her, but sails onward
to put another notch in Arcadra's armor.

The shock from her feet hitting the floor again is still painful, though, and she's still off
-balance from the pinball that spun her around. So the Wind Knight takes a moment to focus,
gathering a healing spell, and putting a practiced twist on it as the breeze rises around her ...

"Liberating Gale!!"

What begins as a restorative spell surges, and transforms into an attack - as if the Wind Knight was
trying to take her injuries and throw them at Arcadra directly. Even if it works, it won't be a
complete recovery; she doesn't have the time and focus to fully heal her injuries. But if she can
patch herself up a little while also harming Arcadra further, all the better.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Liberating Gale on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The joint assault of Sourisi and the Wind Knight are having a clear impact now, with Arcadra
starting to glitch out and repeat herself rapidly. A part of her honestly feels a little bad about
all of this, but it doesn't change the fact that Arcadra was hurting people. Maybe if there was a
way she could have fed without eating life energy? They likely will never know.

But what Sourisi should be focusing on right now is the sudden barrage of glitching pixelated
monsters leaking out and trying to hold her up with rings! Leaping back, the attempts keep coming
quickly and Sourisi can't seem to find any relief. She might have her way out though as she spots a
Time Splitters cabinet that has somehow survived the arcade carnage. Focusing in on it, Sourisi
pulls up energy from her Miraculous just as a ring descends on top of her. "Shift Flip!"

The alien bugs might be a little confused as they pull up the arcade cabinet that the miraculous
ninja switched places with. She's not about to let this chance get away now that she's behind
Arcadra. "That's the thing about arcades, they need to let their customers go home when they don't
have any more money!" Sourisi throws out her twin tonfa once more, aiming for the 'wheels' in the
lightcycle.

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Crashing Tooth on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue dodges 11 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Liberating Gale, taking 17 Fatigue
damage! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Bind Break! All of Fuu Hououji's debuffs
are cleared!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue fails to dodge Sourisi's Crashing Tooth, taking 35 Fatigue damage! Fumiko
Inoue is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The atacks are too much for Arcadra. Her armor falls apart, revealing a body made of wires. The
visor of her helmet displays an LED skull and crossbones as she flails around, wires latching onto
arcade cabinets and pulling them in. Soon she just absorbs them and pulls them in like a magnet, the
whole arcade shrinking as everything gets brighter and brighter.
"Nononononoonononoooonoooooooooo......" Everything goes white.

Seconds later, there is no arcade. It appears as if there never was one. A sleepy kid - the one
that passed out earlier? - groggily wakes up on the sidewalk, confused, and stumbles home. Everyone
goes about their day as usual. And Fuu and Sourisi are left standing in an empty lot.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Somewhere, someone giggles maniacally. "That could've gone worse. But now what? With the Midnight
Arcade gone... hm.... that might work! And nobody will get hurt this time- except...." Arcadia
grins.

2021-06-13 - Arcade California

2021-06-17T00:53:46Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Arcade California'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
'Following the rumors of students acting abnormally due to a new arcade, Fuu and Niramo go to investigate. Nearly falling under the addictive spell themselves, the Wind Knight and Miraculous Ninja take on the master of the Midnight Arcade.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fuu Hououji]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Midnight Arcade - Akihabara Electric Town
|-
6/13/2021 - 12/1/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Akihabara Electric Town +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Brave Akihabara, holy land of nerds, Akihabara of the cartoony signs and
gumball-machine colors. One can buy anything in Akihabara, as long as it is
computer gear, electronics or anime merchandise. The main strip is the
glitziest, with a large percentage of the visible building faces covered in
electronic signs, huge posters, or garish paint jobs, and there one can
purchase coveted new items at (or just a hair before) their street dates.
The streets to either side are home to a messier brand of store, where one
can, with a little luck and persistence, find used goods like that rare
out-of-print first edition Sailor V figurine or vanity press Pretty Cure
doujinshi. These smaller stores compete ferociously for space, and can be
found crammed into alleyways and spilling out onto sidewalks as well as in
more standard configuration.

Those whose tastes run more to programming than fandom can find the area,
also known as Akihabara Electric Town, quite rewarding as well. It's the
perfect place to shop for computer parts and other gadgets for projects both
personal and paranormal, with the venue ranging from a posh cutting-edge
robotics store on the main strip, to tiny stalls wedged into alleys that
sell high-grade electronics on the cheap. The latter category manage this
feat of thrift by selling unpackaged items taken from wholesale lots, and
piled up for display like supermarket apples.

It's relatively safe to be seen wearing unusual clothing here; it's likely
to be taken for cosplay, or the uniform of one of the diversely themed maid
cafes.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The Midnight Arcade practically appeared overnight. People swore that building wasn't there
before, but no construction equipment nor any noise alerted anyone to its creation. The arcade was
simple in shape - a small boxy building with windows and an automatic door, not much different than
many others. However, it was painted deep black with no shine whatsoever. The glass of the windows
and door were darkly tinted, making it difficult to see inside, but what was visible was a large
collection of arcade games. The sign on the top declared it to be 'Midnight Arcade' with the words
seperated by a stylized moon graphic.

The inside seemed to be larger than the outside. The collection of games that could be seen from
the outside was nothing compared to the practical labyrinth that could be seen once entered all the
way. It was hard to see how far back the games truly went, as the only lights were neon and black
lights, making the art in the posters on the wall practically pop out.

Before anyone can enter, however, they have to pass a counter ran by a very tall, thin lady in a
purple dress. Her short black hair stands out against her pale skin. She eagerly waves and awaits
anyone walking in, and even blocks their path with a cane with a joystick for a handle. It seems
that she has something to say.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Good video games are addictive. This is something that Fuu knows, as a fan of several video games -
one might say she's a gamer in her own right, and she'd be hard pressed to argue.

But there are different kinds of addictivity. A *really good* game just inspires the desire to keep
trying after you hit the dreaded Game Over screen: to pick yourself up, dust ourself off, and try
again, or to go back and look at how you'd prepared for a fight and see how you might need to change
your approach. Hearing a couple of her juniors chatting about this arcade that they *just had* to go
back to - even at the expense of doing their homework, or going home for supper, or going to school
the next day ... she's seen that kind of addictiveness before.

That's not good game design at work. At least, not *just* good game design.

So, after setting up a relatively mundane 'safety net' - namely, asking her big sister Kuu to start
ringing Fuu's cellphone off the proverbial hook if she's not home by a certain time - Fuu ventures
to Akihabara, nominally part of her stomping grounds, to seek out the 'Midnight Arcade' and see
what's so special about it. She's hoping that the glove-jewel tucked away in a pocket is an
unnecessary precaution, but it's there all the same.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

At the constantly turning rumor mill at Juuban, among the reports of Christmas miracles,
questionable shops and reports of difficult pop quizzes, are the rumors about a new arcade in
Akihabara. With an exterior as dark and mysterious as they come, it stands out all the more due to
not using excessive amounts of neon lights to promote some sort of holiday special. Add onto it the
reports of normally studious students with busy social lives suddendly skipping a day or two just to
go to the arcade? Either it was one of the best arcades to grace the streets of Tokyo or there was
something more going on behind the scenes!

Now video games are pretty addicting! Niramo knows that pretty well, even if her games are
considered retro nowadays. But making people completely change their habits and ignore studying
right before finals? It's enough to send alarm bells ringing in her head.

Entering into the arcade with a sigh of relief from the wind, Niramo tugs down her scarf so it
wasn't bunched all around her mouth. While feeling like she's flaunting an advantage just because
the enchanted scarf keeps her perfectly warm, it's still windy enough outside that the cold finds
ways to get through sometimes.

Hearing the door open behind her, Niramo is pleasantly surprised to see Fuu coming in. Seems like
Niramo isn't the only one wanting to check out the Arcade either! Niramo waves at the blonde and
smiles at her. "Hey Fuu-san! Wanting to check out the new arcade too?" Maybe it really is just a
normal arcade and there's nothing devious going on...but she's not so sure about that.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

At the entrance, the counter lady widely grins and blocks the path in further with her cane. She
takes a deep breath, and...

"Welcome to the Midnight Arcade? Or is it just Midnight Arcade, the 'the' sounds better in it.
Anyways, we have a special going on for the grand opening for a whole month- or four weeks,
technically that's a month but we didn't start on the first so... anyways anyways, if you let me
stamp your hand with today's stamp, you get ten free tokens! But you gotta show me your hands so I
know you didn't already come in and sneak out and back in for more tokens and... er... anyways,
would you like to take advantage of the promotion? That's ten one-token game, or five two-token
games, or three one-token and one two-token or... anyways anyways anyways, how about it?"

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"Ah, Niramo-san, good afternoon to you," Fuu greets the Juuban student with a smile and a bow.
Rather than a heavy muffler, Fuu's buttoned her coat up as far as the collar will go, plus an
understated pair of earmuffs to keep the cold away. She would say more, but the counter attendant is
playing turnstile - and advertisement, at the same time.

Fuu is quick enough to show her hands, as yet unstamped. "What's the normal price for tokens?" she
inquires. While the offer of free tokens is certainly tempting, she's not sure whether the stamp
itself might be part of what makes the Midnight Arcade so attractive to its customers. She can at
least take one factor out of the equation, one way or the other, if she refrains from getting
stamped.

She won't make that decision for Niramo, though.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The counter lady has a really odd way of speaking, like she's unsure of what she should say and
babbling a lot to fill the air. But the general gist of what she's saying is pretty clear. There is
a promotion going on, but you need to be stamped to get the free tokens? While it's pretty tempting,
that sounds like an easy way to get addicted if this place is using magic. Niramo holds up both of
her hands and twists them around a few times to show there wasn't a drop of ink on her skin.

Rather than moving closer to get stamped though, Niramo pulls out a thousand yen bill out of her
bookbag. "I'll take whatever this will get me! If I find some games that I really do like I might
come back to the front for the stamp and tokens, but I got a dance teacher who will give me grief
for showing 'ink' without a good reason for it."

Ye-jin really will give her grief if she wasn't careful, so she has a real reason for not wanting to
get stamped!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The counter lady frowns, but shrugs. "Well, that's better for the arcade's bottom line," she jokes.
"Let's see... um... ah right! 1000 yen for 10 tokens! You'd be saving 1000 yen if you got your hands
stamped but I'm not gonna force you! Just try to have as much fun as possible! The more fun you
have, the better the arcade does, or something, I think. I mean, that and you go through tokens
faster and have to buy m- er... have a nice day!" She exchanges currency for tokens and lets Niramo
and Fuu through, into the maze of arcade games.

And a maze it was. There weren't just rows and rows of every game imaginable, they were also set up
in branching paths, almost easy to get lost in if not for the floor patterns leading back to the
entrance. There were also black lights near many of the machines, some of which had custom art on it
that glows in the lights, or even in the dark. There are scores of kids playing arcade games, and
all of them look like they are having fun, though some do seem a little tired as if they've been
playing too long. And a shout of 'yes!' followed by the sound of pouring metal bits could be heard
from a corner.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

With a thousand yen worth of tokens now in her pocket, Fuu makes her way into the arcade's
labyrinthine interior ... and she wishes that wasn't a figure of speech; between the regular
darkness, the strategically placed black lights, the branching paths, and the general hubbub, it
seems far too easy to get lost in the game center. Even *with* the carpet's guiding patterns ...
which, if there's supernatural skulduggery afoot, would make it *very easy indeed* to only get led
deeper into the arcade, rather than back out for air.

"We should probably stick together, Niramo-san," Fuu suggests to her de facto companion. The
triumphant shout distracts her, though, and Fuu cranes her neck trying to find the source of that
payout noise. Pachinko machines? ... ah well.

"Was there anything specific you'd like to play?" she asks Niramo. Fuu has a couple of games she
wouldn't mind seeking out, but Niramo was, at least technically, ahead of her - and it's always
interesting to find out what somebody else likes.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo happily exchanges money for the 10 tokens and quickly examines them in the lobby, due to all
the blacklights in the arcade itself. The tokens look like they're completely normal, so they should
be safe to handle! Slipping them into a pocket in her school uniform, Niramo waits for Fuu to
exchange any currency first before walking in with her together.

Once they're out of earshot of the counter cashier, Niramo speaks up so she can be heard over the
din of bleeps and bloops from the machines around them. "She really wanted to stamp us, huh? You
would think they would just give out vouchers or something to be redeemed. Pretty old school!" She
doesn't want to say too much while she's around gamers, at least Niramo can voice how odd it was.

The lighting in the arcade itself makes the natural maze of arcade cabinets easier to get lost in
on, adding on to the retro feel of the place. With the glow in the dark artwork and bright colors,
it's like a time capsule from the 80's!

Nodding in agreement with Fuu, the shout over the constant barrage of noise draws Niramo's attention
away for a moment. Pachinko machines were in here?! She's pretty sure that's not supposed to be
here.

"Well, I like playing racing and shooting games, though i'm not the best at the latter. Beat 'em ups
are what I usually go for though!" Looking around for a moment, Niramo spots an older cabinet
featuring a fantasy group of fighters, complete with a dwarf and an elf against a wall. "Whao, I
only seen pictures of this one online. Oh, what kind of games do you enjoy?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

There were games of all kinds here, and many were calling Niramo and Fuu's names. Not literally of
course, although... in certain lights, the games look super appealing, though not sinisterly so.
Just that some looked more fun than any seen in other arcades, by a small margin. However, some of
the games that interest Fuu but not Niramo and some of the games that interest Niramo but not Fuu
are in different parts of the arcade. Could they find a machine they both enjoy that is multiplayer?
Or are they fated to go their seperate ways? The tension, the drama, the excitement mounts - okay,
maybe not.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

With a sheepish smile, Fuu replies, "Most of the games I like aren't really arcade games,
unfortunately. Role-playing games, some of the Zelda series ... there are a few 'beat-em-ups' that I
do enjoy, though," she admits. "I'm not that good at Golden Axe, but -"

Niramo spots the cabinet before Fuu does, but the blonde's eyes light up almost intensely enough for
her glasses to reflect a rare beam from one of the ceiling fixtures. "You haven't played Tower of
Doom before, Niramo-san? Seriously? You're in for a treat; it's not just a classic, but a point in
gaming history in some ways. Will you let me pay for your first credit, as well?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Maybe it's just a trick of the light or the general atmosphere, but the games here seem a bit more
engaging than they would back at the Crown. Maybe it really is just a bunch of students suddendly
becoming addicted to games because of the entry giveaway? Or maybe she just haven't dig deep enough
into the arcade yet? And then there's how tired some people here looked...did they know that it was
the afternoon outside?

Fuu certainly has a great choice in games, where the home market is concerned. "I'm in the same area
with the old consoles I got back home. I can't tell you how many times I replayed Link to the Past!"
Niramo is starting to get a little worried they might have to split up just to find something they
both like.

Thankfully the Tower of Doom stands as a beacon of light in the darkness. Niramo is surprised by
just how much Fuu seems to know about the game. "Nope, but I heard it's one of the really good ones
back in it's day."

Niramo holds up her own token and nods in agreement. "Sure, but I get to pay for your first life
whenever you go down. Unless you're one of those super fans that can beat a game in one life!"
Niramo rests her hands on the counter and slides a token towards whatever controls Fuu is going to
be taking over. It's pretty hard to hand extra tokens over during the heat of battle.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The Tower of Doom was the perfect choice. In fact, it was perfectly perfect, with everything
perfect about it even more perfect. It was at just the right difficulty, shop items were the right
price, items were plentiful without being too easy to obtain, the graphics really shined even for
the game - though saying they were better than normal was hard, they certainly felt like they were
better. All in all, it was perfect for playing as long as Fuu and Niramo wanted, maybe even longer.
And the blacklights were pretty cool, too.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"I'm not *that* good at it," Fuu admits. She takes the player 1 controls, if Niramo doesn't mind
being player 2, and picks the elf as her adventurer. Soon thereafter, the two adventurers are making
their way through the forest, fighting monsters and collecting stray treasure ... Things go pretty
smoothly, even the first boss fight.

"I don't think I've actually cleared the troll before without having to continue," Fuu muses during
the shop scene in between stages. She doesn't seem overly focused on critiquing the game's settings;
she's having a hard time just remembering to stay suspicious of the arcade as a whole. But they do
have some time to relax and actually *play* - just because their suspicions were up doesn't mean
they can't enjoy themselves too, especially if it turns out everything's on the up-and-up.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo went with the Elf for her character as well and is quite enjoying the blend of melee and
magic that the character brings to the battlefield. There was a death here and there, but it was
pretty rare consider to how hard the internet said this game was. In game cash was the perfect
amount to keep extra weapons supplied and her character healthy, nothing that felt overwhelming and
completely unfair, and the game ran as smoothly as butter. Plus, with two elves leading the warpath,
the monsters stood little chance against them.

"The branching paths is pretty cool as well! A lot of games are really linear, and it makes you want
to play again to check out the different stages." Fuu's expertise is helpful to the newbie, such as
the fact the troll had to be set on fire to take it down completely.

Nothing really stands out as supernatural and magical, besides what's going onscreen. Niramo can
start to see why the Midnight Arcade is drawing in quite a crowd.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The levels go by pretty quickly, or at least seem to. It is hard to tell how much time has passed.
The game just keeps getting better and better... and better... it could be played all day. In
fact...

But something doesn't feel right. Something is wrong - no nothing is just keep playing - but it is
hard to figure out what. Though it was something that was magical... something... evil.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The more and more that Niramo and Fuu played, the better is just seemed to get. From what Niramo
heard of Tower of Doom, it can be a little janky with difficulty spikes at key points designed to
eat up extra coins. Then again, it likely was designed like that for the arcades. Yet they seem to
be doing just fine and nothing was too hard, too diffcult...and too cheap. They seem to be playing a
perfect game...but it was too perfect.

With that thought, Niramo has to mentally wrench herself back from focusing on the gameplay, and
reaches into her bookbag for her phone. It's likely a good idea to check what the time was.
"Geeze...a lot more going on here, and almost fell for it too. Fuu-san, we should take a break and
head out...this isn't right." Her hands doesn't even feel cramped from constantly tapping at the
buttons for who knows how long.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

How long have they been playing? Fuu lets go of the joystick for a moment, pushing her glasses up to
rub her eyes, then flexing her hands a bit. Even the most comfortable joystick isn't *that*
comfortable to hold for long. Niramo seems to have had a similar idea, and Fuu glances at her own
phone, grimacing as she sees the time. "Some fresh air would do both of us good," she agrees.
There's supposed to be a way to save their progress ... but the blonde shakes her head, collecting
her things. Let somebody else take advantage of a game in progress if they're so inclined -
nothing's riding on the game's actual outcome.

Falling victim to the arcade's trap, however, would be a *major* problem - and they almost did so,
if Niramo hadn't shaken herself loose and pulled Fuu with her.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Nobody seems to stop Niramo and Fuu, but every light they pass under, every arcade cabinet they
pass, the urge to play 'just one more game' hits. Subtly at first, just like an increasing
addiction, but soon almost feels like the arcade games really ARE calling out to them! Out of the
corner of one's eye, a character seems to wave. The music from another machine sounds like the most
beautiful song ever. And one of the best games seems to have been accidentally set to free-play. If
it is possible to escape the siren call of the games, and push past some of the kids who seem just a
bit out of it but relatively healthy, perhaps they can make it as far as the counter - where the
lady once again blocks the path with her cane, this time from the other direction.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"I guess it wasn't a matter of the hand stamps after all," Fuu observes, fighting the impulse to let
herself get sidetracked. It's a little easier to fight the urge down when it's *this* blatant - a
subtler call might be taken for her own desire, and a 'one more game won't hurt' would be less
blatant if it weren't all but being shouted by the number of screens beckoning for her gaze, music
and sound effects clamoring for her ears' focus. But when she knows the impulse is coming from
outside, and from this many directions, it's easier to dig in her mental heels and keep forging
towards the exit -

At least until the exit is barred by the attendant's cane.

"You have quite the impressive arcade here, ma'am," Fuu says with her normal friendly smile and her
typical polite tone. "How hard was it to find this many classic arcade cabinets and clean them up
for a modern audience? Did it cost the management much money?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Wincing at the time displayed on her phone, Niramo mentally chides herself. She was expecting
something devious, it's the whole reason she came here in the first place, but to almost fall in the
trap herself? She gotten lucky, plain and simple. "Yeah...the games are part of it too. I might
actually get home after my mom for once."

Following in Fuu's wake, the ravenette can feel the arcade trying to call her back to the games with
its' siren song. Rare classics that didn't have anyone hogging it for once, the latest and greatest
with the most engaging attract mode possible? The arcade has both of them in spades, and it's a
gamer's paradise. So idealist, that you never wanted to leave.

And the last time Niramo was in a place like that, she got to spend time with a sister that could
have been. That comparison has Niramo clenching her left fist to keep herself focused on following
after Fuu.

Reaching the front, Niramo smiles politely towards the counter lady with her cane, but her eyes are
glancing around her for a moment. She swore she saw that Ohtori student playing Street Fighter 2
hours ago, and they haven't moved! "It really must have taken quite a while and a lot of effort to
get everything going again. A lot of parts some of the older machines uses are not made anymore, so
it must have taken you a while." And while it's nice to be polite, the cane lady was blocking the
way back out. Might be time to push and see if she can get a reaction. "I think me and my friend
spent a little too long here though, so we should be going. Might have to see about coming back in a
month or so!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Leaving so soon?" The counter lady smiles, but her eyes glare and she gives off an aura of evil.
However, that smile turns genuine, the glare turns excited, and the aura of evil dissipates by half
and replaced by one of glee. "Oh, this collection is my life's work! But it really didn't take that
long. But it took soooo much effort. I mean Pac-man and Drum Master? Super common, super easy. But I
saw you playing Tower of Doom, now that was a find! And I even have Tron, Discs of Tron, and
Sinistar - the latter isn't that rare but it is a duramold! I'm so excited and - what do you mean
you're leaving? How- I mean why? You still have tokens!" Some of the anger and malicious energy
returns.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"Presumably the tokens will still be just as valid in a month's time as they are today, yes?" smiles
Fuu. "And you have the money we paid for them; neither of us are asking to trade them back in for
money. Really, our keeping the tokens is a promise to return, and if you let us leave without a
fight, that raises the odds that we'd invite more of our game-loving friends to visit the next
time."

Fuu's smile ebbs *just* a little, her glasses glinting again as she looks at the lady behind the
counter. She did not miss that aura of malice, and she doesn't miss it returning now. "On the other
hand, if there's something more precious than our money which you're trying to collect ... such as
life energy, or emotional power ... you may find us less inclined to lead others into your
clutches."

If Fuu had any actual doubts about this arcade being a den of evildoing, she'd be less open about
suspecting the supernatural. But she *recognizes* that twinge in her gut when the attendant gives
off that aura of evil ... and while she's not taking an outwardly aggressive stance, her left hand
has dipped into her coat pocket, fingers working their way into her glove-jewel.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

While the counter lady and apparent owner seems really happy with herself for just how much the
games are being appreciated, it doesn't take a genius to realize that she wasn't just making sure
they were enjoying themselves. Fuu is quick to point out that there's no reason to be mad either.
Niramo acts like she's casually checking something on her phone, but she's actually using the camera
mode to make sure all the players are completely enthralled by their games.

"Gamers put in a lot of time, effort and dedication into their favorite games, but making them so
tired that they skip school and sleep in just to come back in here? Not many students would throw
away their futures like that, unless something was driving them to come back, you know?" Niramo
looks the owner directly in the eyes and smiles, but with a slight edge in her voice. "And those
that tries to enact evil plans tend to have them ruined by bands of do-good adventurers."

Niramo leans in close to whisper to Fuu. "I don't think anyone is watching, Fuu-san. Should be fine
here if we need to." Things might get chaotic pretty soon, and Niramo shakes a leg gently to make
sure her anklet is free. A glance down towards her bookbag has her just barely catching a tiny
thumbs up aimed up at her.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Hmm... you're right." The lady frowns and nods. "I should let you go, there's no need for me to
keep you here against your will, you wouldn't want to come back!" She looks at the cane, ready to
lift it...

Then Fuu and Niramo mention things they shouldn't know about. "Oh. Hm. You're THOSE kind of girls,
aren't you? Here to ruin my plans. Not letting me just gather energy in peace. Look! Nobody has
died, everyone's having fun, I'm getting lots of tasty energy, and everyone will eventually leave
and go home and come back later! Where's the harm in that? Nobody is even a little-"

As she spoke, a boy on a nearby arcade game passes out due to lack of energy. The lady cringes,
then sighs. "...that wasn't supposed to happen. Guess we can't talk this one out now? Shame."

Suddenly, she's gone. Only to be seen in the center of a bunch of games, all of which are sucked
into her somehow. The whole arcade expands, seemingly now going on forever for real. People with
their wits still about them run to the exit, and she makes no effort in stopping them. Her skin
turns pale blue and her lips purple, her hair starts to turn into a helmet, and armor slowly appears
all over her body. The upper half of her face is covered in a boxy black helmet with purple
branching lines patterning it, and a visor hides her eyes. The rest of her is similarly covered in
black, bulky, blocky armor, with purple Space Invaders aliens painted on the sides of her body,
arms, and legs; the front and back are covered in branching purple lines like her helmet. Jutting
out of her shoulderpads are black joysticks with purple knobs on the end - complete with purple
directional arrow markers - and in the middle of her chest are six pale blue arcade cabinet buttons
slightly staggered. Her smaller gauntless and armored boots are pure purple. With how bulky her
armor is, it looks as if she shouldn't even be able to move.

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue transforms into Youma Form Arcadra!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has fully healed herself. She is now ready to take on 2 opponents!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

True enough, a moment ago nobody was really paying attention up front; now everyone's trying to get
out, and most of them are headed for the front doors. Ironically, that makes the behind-the-counter
space formerly occupied by the 'attendant' a safer place to duck for cover, both visual and traffic-
wise, while the civilians are fleeing.

It's only after the crowd has cleared out that the Magic Knight of Wind rises back into view, taking
in the arcade monster's form. "And there would be the *actual* boss fight," she observes with good-
natured resignation. "Now I have to ask all over again: did you really track down all those vintage
arcade machines? Or were they conjured up for the sake of this energy-gathering operation?" 'Too
good to be true' does seem likely to apply.

She doesn't quite give Arcadra time to reply before casting: "Winds of Admonishment!"

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji transforms into Wind Knight!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Admonishment on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The cane lady admits to being what both Niramo and Fuu has been suspecting, but doesn't immediately
seem to be attacking the duo. It's certainly wrong to eat life energy from the innocent people of
Tokyo, but the lady seemingly only wants to skim off the top. But even that small amount of energy
from so many people was already disrupting quite a few lives. Niramo raises her hand to point a
finger to dispute this...and then blinks as one of the addicts completely falls over on his feet.
That was certainly more than just a little!

Niramo takes the cue of flying arcade machines slamming together and quickly moves for the cover of
the the cashier's office. "Well, game night was nice while it lasted, Fuu-san. Tail, sprout!" Golden
light flows over Niramo's form, replacing her school uniform with the full bodysuit of Sourisi,
complete with eye mask and tail.

Hopping back into the arcade proper and pulling the fallen boy into the cashier office, Sourisi just
shakes her head at just how cumbersome this monsterous armor is. "I hate to say it, but I think you
might need to cash out a bit!" With that, Sourisi flicks her tonfa free of their clasps in a quick
throw, sending the enchanted tonfa flying to smash into the arcadic armor.

COMBAT: Niramo Umokeshi transforms into Sourisi!
COMBAT: Sourisi has used Crashing Tooth on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue fails to dodge Sourisi's Crashing Tooth, taking 36 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue partially dodges 4 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Winds of Admonishment,
taking 16 Fatigue damage! Fuu Hououji is Psyched! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities
activate! Cripple applied to Fumiko Inoue!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"You should have just kept playing," the armored arcade aberration announces. "I am Arcadra, and
you shall fall before- hey!"

Suddenly, Arcadra is struck by a flying tonfa and is knocked back a lot farther than she should
have been - right next to a pinball machine she places a hand on and absorbs. Before she has time to
do anything else, she's hit with another, more windy attack, throwing her into a rail shooter game -
also absorbed. Despite the hits, she's still grinning. Her right hand suddenly has a plastic light
gun in it, and her left arm... it completely transforms. It is now a glass tube with a spring-loaded
pinball plunger inside, complete with giant pinball.

The plunger pulls back... and she quickly fires a pot-shot with the light gun at Fuu. A sudden
flash fills the room as the near-invisible shot hurdles towards Fuu. Then she switches targets and
arms, releasing the tension in the plunger to launch a huge, heavy pinball at Niramo.

"You both love arcades, just like me! Why couldn't that be enough? We could've been friends but you
had to be all moral and ethical and magical and stuff! I wanted to talk to you about looking for
Aztarac!"

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Light Gun on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Pinball Cannon on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji cleanly braces 17 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Light Gun, taking 3 Fatigue
damage! Fuu Hououji's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Sourisi perfectly dodges 45 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Pinball Cannon, taking 0
Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Critical Dodge! Sourisi's Fade and Flash abilities activate!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

A hastily-summoned wind barrier diffuses much of the light gun's bolt, although the Wind Knight
still recoils from the measure of the flash which passes her defenses. "You think the trap you built
here didn't hurt *us* as well, Arcadra-san?" she calls out, doing her best to stay on the move - and
also taking note of the other machines' absorption. The monster's form isn't as static as it could
be, if she can still assimilate additional game cabinets to keep herself going and swap in new
weapons or abilities.

How terrifying would it be if this arcade had a Rockman machine too?

While she's angling for another attack (and looking for weaknesses), the Wind Knight continues,
"*We* were ensnared by it, almost as tightly as your other victims. It was a fun game, yes, but you
would have kept us here far longer than healthy, compelled us to come back even at he expense of
school and health and budgets. If we hadn't had the strength of will to pry ourselves loose, even
suspecting trouble before we came in, we would have been hurt just as badly as the neighbors and
schoolmates we're worried about!"

The Wind Knight's sword flares into existence, and she charges in low, stabbing at what seems to be
a chink in Arcadra's armor - and then leaping upwards, trying to drag the blade through the
monster's frame for increased damage.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Unorthodox Swordplay on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi smiles as the twin tonfa strike home and sends Arcadra flying into an machine, and then the
Wind Knight's wind launching it into another. That smile quickly fades as both machines are added
into the armor itself, and Sourisi can't help but groan a little. "Uh oh...it gets stronger by
assimilation?!"

The sudden flash of the light gun takes Sourisi by surprise, startling her and making
her jump. This reaction from the light gun has Sourisi jumping in time to completely dodge the
massive steel pinball, though several other pinball machines are not so lucky. Landing on top of a
Galaga machine, the Mouse that Roars catches her twin tonfa as they return and begins to close the
distance.

"I'm sure we could have been great friends, but your life eating habits can kill people! You were
careful and still had someone faint, and an accident can easily happen. It's for that very reason
why we have to stop you now before someone does get hurt!" Sourisi rushes in the wake of Fuu's
charge, swinging both of her tonfa around in a twirling display of skill and destructive might at
Arcadra's armored legs. That much bulk has to be weighing her down, so time to see if she can be
toppled!

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Mouse Flurry on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue counters 11 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Unorthodox Swordplay, taking 11
Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Fumiko Inoue's Reverse and Tactician abilities activate! Stagger
applied to Fumiko Inoue!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue's counterattack, C-c-combo Breaker, partially gets through, doing 13 Fatigue
damage to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue counters 6 Fatigue damage from Sourisi's Mouse Flurry, taking 17 Fatigue
damage! Sourisi is Psyched! Fumiko Inoue's Reverse and Tactician abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue's counterattack, C-c-combo Breaker, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue
damage to Sourisi!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Arcadra shrieks as the arcade cabinets are destroyed by her own cannonpinball. A few unpleasant
words later, and she prepares for another attack - only to be bombarded with attacks from Sourisi
and the Wind Knight. She is pummeled and stabbed... but grins. Before too much damage is done to
her, she spins with her arms out, striking anyone unfortunate enough to be in the way while also
creating a shockwave that sends everything near her flying. She then zips over to another area,
absorbing both a Tron cabinet and one of those motorcycle racing games with the rideable bike. Her
legs vanish and are replaced by a black and purple futuristic bike, sparks of darkness spitting out
of the back. She revs up and charges, aiming her weapons once again - but crosses her arms and fires
opposite this time. "Why do you humans have to be so fragile I just wanted the energy I didn't want
anyone hurt can't you be stronger I mean you two clearly are stronger and faster and still like
arcades and ... so just give up and play!"

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Light Gun on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Pinball Cannon on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Sourisi fails to brace Fumiko Inoue's Light Gun, taking 25 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji dodges 14 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Pinball Cannon, taking 21 Fatigue
damage! Fuu Hououji's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Stagger applied to Fuu Hououji!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Whatever satisfaction the Wind Knight might have obtained from her sword striking home is starkly
outweighed by getting clotheslined, sent flying, and hurled further still by the shockwave that
Arcadra put out with the maneuver. And unlike the youma, the Wind Knight *can't* regenerate by being
thrown into a hapless arcade machine. She's still regaining her bearings from that series of impacts
when an oversized pinbal gets launched at her, and while she's able to avoid getting flattened by
it, she still gets spun around again by the graze, coming to a wobbly halt.

Melee really doesn't seem to be a good option in this fight, is one of the Wind Knight's more lucid
thoughts as she's trying to regain her equilibrium. It might work, but Arcadra's so heavily armored,
and she's stronger in close combat. Or at least, it feels like it.

So she lets her sword disappear, raising her hands in front of her and gathering her magic again.
"Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi!" calls the green-clad Magic Knight, unleashing one of her heavier attack
spells: not the heaviest she has, but one she's had to be careful with in the past - although in
this fight, collateral damage (as long as Sourisi isn't caught in it) doesn't seem as bad as it
could be. Besides, busting extra arcade machines *should* cut down on Arcadra's options.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi's smashing assault is causing several cracks to form in Arcadra's leg armor, spreading
outwards with each successful thwack. That heafy armor is absorbing much of her blows, but it also
makes the energy stealing fiend predictable as well, with noticable tells. Leaping backwards to get
out of range of those spining arms, the miraculous ninja frowns as the armor she was working on
suddendly changes shape into a bicycle. Arcadra can fix any damage they do, even if it does come at
the cost of her collection.

Eyeing the pinball cannon carefully to get ready to dodge a slow moving ball, Sourisi falls for the
feint! A bright flash of light, and Sourisi stumbles back as if she was hit by a bullet. She
actually wasn't since it was made of pure light, but it /stung/.

Seeing the Wind Knight narrowly avoiding making an imprint in some machines does give Sourisi an
idea. Running over to the pinball that she managed to dodge earlier, Sourisi grabs it with both of
her hands and heft it up with some effort. Spinning around to get the momentum and becoming a bit of
a blur, Sourisi lets the steel ball fly once she sees the tornado that the Wind Knight has called
up. "Special delivery for the final boss!"

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Right Back At Ya! on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue dodges 12 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi, taking
18 Fatigue damage! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue partially dodges 6 Fatigue damage from Sourisi's Right Back At Ya!, taking 26
Fatigue damage! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities activate!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Arcadra zigs and zags, dodges and weaves, but cannot entirely dodge the attacks. A pinball sends
her spinning out of control as part of the Storm-Dance clips her armor, taking a chunk out.

"Whywhywhywhy" she cries, becoming more and more incoherent.

"IjustwantedtoIjustinsertcoinpressstartwhywhywhyplayplayplay aaaargh! You aren't going anywhere
until you play more more moremoremore!" Out of her damaged armor fly out strange, pixelated blue and
pink... insects? Aliens? Spaceships? They swoop down at the two heroes, but then do a loop and fly
overhead, hovering above them. Then they fire rings down... trying to pull them up with tractor
beams.

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Tractor Beam on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Tractor Beam on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Sourisi dodges 4 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Tractor Beam, taking 3 Fatigue damage!
Sourisi's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji decisively counters 9 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Tractor Beam, taking 3
Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Trap applied to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji's counterattack, Trick Arrow Shot, partially gets through, doing 13 Fatigue
damage to Fumiko Inoue!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

For all that Fuu isn't a routine player of shoot-em-ups, *this* is a technique so old that she's
seen it in action anyway - if not in the original context, then in call-outs embedded in other
games. Rather than freaking out when the tractor beam scoops her up, the Magic Knight of Wind
readies her bow and an arrow, aiming upwards as her booted feet drift away from the floor - and when
she looses, the arrow takes out not only the 'bug' that was trying to capture her, but sails onward
to put another notch in Arcadra's armor.

The shock from her feet hitting the floor again is still painful, though, and she's still off
-balance from the pinball that spun her around. So the Wind Knight takes a moment to focus,
gathering a healing spell, and putting a practiced twist on it as the breeze rises around her ...

"Liberating Gale!!"

What begins as a restorative spell surges, and transforms into an attack - as if the Wind Knight was
trying to take her injuries and throw them at Arcadra directly. Even if it works, it won't be a
complete recovery; she doesn't have the time and focus to fully heal her injuries. But if she can
patch herself up a little while also harming Arcadra further, all the better.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Liberating Gale on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The joint assault of Sourisi and the Wind Knight are having a clear impact now, with Arcadra
starting to glitch out and repeat herself rapidly. A part of her honestly feels a little bad about
all of this, but it doesn't change the fact that Arcadra was hurting people. Maybe if there was a
way she could have fed without eating life energy? They likely will never know.

But what Sourisi should be focusing on right now is the sudden barrage of glitching pixelated
monsters leaking out and trying to hold her up with rings! Leaping back, the attempts keep coming
quickly and Sourisi can't seem to find any relief. She might have her way out though as she spots a
Time Splitters cabinet that has somehow survived the arcade carnage. Focusing in on it, Sourisi
pulls up energy from her Miraculous just as a ring descends on top of her. "Shift Flip!"

The alien bugs might be a little confused as they pull up the arcade cabinet that the miraculous
ninja switched places with. She's not about to let this chance get away now that she's behind
Arcadra. "That's the thing about arcades, they need to let their customers go home when they don't
have any more money!" Sourisi throws out her twin tonfa once more, aiming for the 'wheels' in the
lightcycle.

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Crashing Tooth on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue dodges 11 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Liberating Gale, taking 17 Fatigue
damage! Fumiko Inoue's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Bind Break! All of Fuu Hououji's debuffs
are cleared!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue fails to dodge Sourisi's Crashing Tooth, taking 35 Fatigue damage! Fumiko
Inoue is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The atacks are too much for Arcadra. Her armor falls apart, revealing a body made of wires. The
visor of her helmet displays an LED skull and crossbones as she flails around, wires latching onto
arcade cabinets and pulling them in. Soon she just absorbs them and pulls them in like a magnet, the
whole arcade shrinking as everything gets brighter and brighter.
"Nononononoonononoooonoooooooooo......" Everything goes white.

Seconds later, there is no arcade. It appears as if there never was one. A sleepy kid - the one
that passed out earlier? - groggily wakes up on the sidewalk, confused, and stumbles home. Everyone
goes about their day as usual. And Fuu and Sourisi are left standing in an empty lot.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Somewhere, someone giggles maniacally. "That could've gone worse. But now what? With the Midnight
Arcade gone... hm.... that might work! And nobody will get hurt this time- except...." Arcadia
grins.

2021-05-22 - ...And Into the Fire: Take 1

2021-05-27T00:08:53Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: ...And Into the Fire: Take 1'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Fumiko's nerves have been getting the better of her as she gathers her courage to ask the Question, and Niramo invites her friend over to help her relax. In the end, miscommunication changes the course of what would have been a very exciting day.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitmachi Low City - Umokeshi Residence
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2021-5-22 - 2015-11-26
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Shitamachi Low City +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The traditions that the Shitamachi cultural region keeps alive were ancient
long before the Shogun turned the fishing town of Edo into Tokyo, "Eastern
Capital." The area has evolved greatly since then, but though Shitamachi is
a highly modernized metropolis, its traditions somehow coexist with bullet
trains, research universities, and electronics markets. The occasional
person in kimono and sandals will wait at the crossing alongside salarymen
in business suits. Compared to Yamanote, there are more bicycles, family
businesses, and food carts, and fewer scooters, corporations, and
convenience stores. Certain wards in Shitamachi can be just as dense and
urbanized as anything in Yamanote, but there's a tendency toward low-rise
apartment complexes in the residential areas, and office buildings rather
than office towers in the commercial.

The distinction between Shitamachi and Yamanote is messy, both
geographically and demographically, but significant enough that it remains
the most significant cultural divide in Tokyo. Shitamachi people, as a
whole, take themselves less seriously, and have a stronger sense of
community that feeds upon their active street culture of markets, shops, and
festivals. They may not be fashionable, but they are /fun/. The Juuban
public schools, undistinguished but in some ways better off for it,
exemplify this plebeian joie de vivre quite well. The Shitamachi dialect is
less distinct than it used to be, but it is still a force to be reckoned
with, with a broader, less refined, and more energetic sound to it than
standard Japanese.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The pale sunlight streaking over the horizon gives the Tokyo skyline a ruby tint to the buildings
directly in line to receive the last rays of the day. Many businesses that happen to be in the deep
shade has their exterior neon lights turning on, and several retails stores were clearly promoting
Christmas bargains now that the season of giving was upon the consumers. The late autumn rays seem
to be bringing a feeling of peace and calm, and there isn't a single cloud in the sky to keep this
light at bay.

Despite all of this, Niramo is feeling a little nervous. Not that she really had any reason to be
nervous! Fumiko had asked earlier that day if she could hang out for a few hours and watch some
shows with her after school, which is normal enough. What was a little odd about it was that the
brunette seemed hesitant, stuttering a few times while trying to play it all off while asking. Maybe
it's just her overthinking things, but something has to be bothering her friend and, by proxy, was
bothering Niramo.

So Niramo had put that nervous energy into making some quick snacks once the two of them had come
inside the Umokeshi home. Hot chocolate with actual hot milk instead of water, double chocolate chip
cookies, thick fudge brownies and the last of Niramo's holloween candy stash are the results of this
effort! Good food always helps to relax people and...well, it was an excuse to have plenty of sugar.

The ending credits for Magical Detective Loveline is currently playing on the large television
screen on the wall in the living room, and Niramo reaches over across the small coffee table for
another cookie to snack on. "I know Detective Loveline isn't exactly everyone's cup of tea, but it's
always been one of my favorite. Hopefully you liked it, Fumiko-chan!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Today was the day. Fumiko would finally... would... could she really confront her best
friend? Could she really ask such a stupid question?

/Hey, bestie, we've been having lots of fun but are you secretly a magical girl? Because I am! We
can be double best friends with our secret identities!/

Yeah, no, she'd definitely have to work on how to ask it. But first, she needed to visit.

Ever since arriving at Niramo's house, Fumiko had been nervous. Face tinted red, hard to
keep eye contact, shuffling her feet... something was weighing on her mind. But the delicious food -
a chocolate feast! - helped her stay distracted from what was bothering her. She greedily chowed
down, practically inhaling the food. This was a lot messier than normal, possibly even staining her
school uniform that she wore over.

At first, the show did not help much in distracting Fumiko. Of course, it was a show about
a magical girl. And it was very childish. But... it raises a question, one that Fumiko would rather
ask than the one she's been waiting for the right moment to.

"Do you think she's real?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo may not be the best at reading people, but she doesn't have to be to see Fumiko only seems to
be more nervous now and not less! Maybe all the sweet snacks weren't good for the nerves? Being red
in the face can easily be due to the cold tempatures outside, but not looking her in the eye and
shuffling her feet? Having a detective for a father does have its' benefits like knowing some social
signs. What Fumiko was showing was that she was either very guilty about something...or she's
scared.

But...scared of Niramo? That doesn't make any sense.

A few napkins were pushed across the table absently when Niramo turns to look at her friend and
seeing how messy she's been. Blinking at the odd question, Niramo seems to think about it for a
moment before shaking her head. "As much as I would love it, I don't think so. Lovelace is a really
smart girl, but I don't think she's...real, you know? She manages to solves the mysteries really
quickly and bring evildoers to justice, but real life can be really convoluted!"

Niramo reaches over to grab another cookie and slides it out of sight under the table instead of
nibbling on it, which might be a little odd. "Besides, Detective Lovelace might have a lot of
trouble fighting compared to a lot of the real life magical girls out there. Watson can only help
her out so much, after all!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Until the napkins are offered, Fumiko didn't even seem to realize there was any messiness
going on, let alone caused by her. She glances at the napkins, then realizes with obvious
embarrassment. "Thank you..." she mutters, cleaning herself up a bit. She hits the breaks lightly on
her snacking, eating much more slowly... and deliberately. She's really focusing on the food.

Detective Lovelace is a bit far-fetched, but it is a good, /distracting/ conversation. "I
don't know..." Fumiko says slowly. "There was the Sailor V game, and those knockoff toys... maybe
this is similar? And maybe there's more than one type of magical girl out there? Like some are
superheroes, others are detectives, some just want to make others happy... that last thought is
nice... just, making others happy." She shakes her head and snaps out of whatever it was she started
to go into. "Anyways... your thoughts? Please?" The last please seemed like it contained hidden
desperation.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo giggles softly as Fumiko starts to clean up the spots on her and is glad she didn't bring too
much attention to it. Having anyone enjoying her snacks is always enough to bring a smile to her
face, and it does ease the uneasy feeling Niramo has in her gut from this visit over. Hopefully it
is helping indirectly with whatever problems Fumiko has going on.

Fumiko actually brings up some good points, and ones that Niramo never really thought about before.
Tokyo has quite its' share of magical defenders, but there has to be more than just fighters filled
with courage to win the day. "Oh! Yeah, like that, i'm sure of it! Not everyone is talented at
everything and they specialize in all sorts of fields. Makes you wonder if there's magical girls
that put out massive fires or those that make it their mission to bring as much joy as possible to
the world via parties."

A somewhat distant memory of a battle trying to feed an oni with magical cooking comes to mind. "I
think it's because their fights are so public that the magical girls who do fight get the most
attention. You don't exactly hear the news talking about someone using magic to paint a masterpiece
in a minute, right?"

Even as Niramo says this, she can't help but notice that Fumiko seems to be searching for something
with her questions. "I...don't want to pry, but is everything okay, Fumiko-chan? You been acting
strange all day. What's eating at you like you eating at my brownies?" Trying to skirt the issue
doesn't seem like the best idea, so hopefully a small joke can help set the brunette at ease.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko considers and takes in all of what Niramo is saying. Magical firefighters? Magical
party makers? Magical painters? "I think... I think that's all amazing-sounding. I really really
hope those are all real. All the flashy explosive fights get everyone's attention, but there's got
to be more to magic than turning love and friendship into weapons or shooting lasers made of dreams.
More to magic than fighting. I-" She then clams up, looking away again, then slowly turns back.
"Sorry... rambling about things I have no idea about."

Why does Niramo have to be so observant? Why does she have to ask about what's going on? Why does
she have to... be a good friend? Not her fault, is it? Fumiko swallows her panic and steels herself
to ask the most difficult question she has ever asked.

She has trouble getting it out, though.

"Um... thank you for caring... and noticing when I'm not doing well... it means a lot to me and-"
She clears her throat, blushing even deeper, looking through Niramo's head somewhere below her eyes.
"You are my best friend, you know that? And... I'm going to ask you a... a difficult... question.
Whatever you answer, we'll still be friends... even if you say 'no' to the question. I... you... do
you... are you...?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko has been giving the world of magical girls a lot of serious thought, it seems! Things that
she have been taking for granted, but very good points. "It would be contradictory if that all it
was. Um...i'm not really an expert on this kind of thing, but there has to be people who support,
aid and assist the fighters to they can do what they do, right? Plus, a lot of those magical girls
do seem like they're really good friends as well. You can't have beams of friendship if it's not
there, right?"

This conversation is starting to give Niramo wierd deja vu vibes, similar to another conversation to
she had when she was wearing an eyemask.

But those vibes quickly disappear as Fumiko's face turns a deeper red. "I'm just worried about you
and want to make sure you're okay, friends do that sort of thing!" Niramo gains a light blush of her
own upon being called Fumiko's best friend, but a part of her is noticing how Fumiko is acting.
She's been blushing a lot today, stuttering over her word and she's trying to work up her
courage...wait a minute. Niramo seen all these signs before in anime and novels!

Blushing heavily at the implications that her mind is bringing up, Niramo watches Fumiko's eyes
carefully. The way she's trailing off and how 'no' is a fine answer to give...it has to be!

"Are...are you asking me out?!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Magical girls do seem to have a thing about friendship!" Fumiko gives a half-genuine
smile. "So... doing things other than violence, like helping others, seems logical. And I don't
think the friendship thing is fake. Just look a-...at the sailors..." She finishes lamely.

Fumiko builds up towards asking the question. She's getting there. She's almost there. Just
a little more...

Niramo seems to get the hint. /Thank goodness!/ Fumiko says internally. /She's going to
figure out the question before I ask it!/ And she did... or at least figured out A question...
definitely not the one Fumiko was even in the same universe of thinking. "Ye-" she responds, before
the words Niramo asked caught up to her. A DATE!? Red alert! Abort, about!" Y...n...wha... ahaha..."

Fumiko becomes a chameleon, going between pale and bright red. At first, she is as still as
a statue, unable to move, then twitch after twitch builds up until she is shaking, walking
backwards. "I mean, we are good friends and I think yo- I mean I was just trying to see if- um...
right the realquestionis...is...um.... ARE YOU GOING TO LET ME HAVE THAT LAST BROWNIE!?" That
clearly wasn't the question she was going to ask, but with her hiding behind a chair, it might be
the closest she's going to get.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The trail of clues that Niramo's mind had followed had led her to an interesting question, one that
just blurted out on it's own before she could really process it herself. Loving another girl
like...like...like that was not the norm! 'But then again, Kasagami and Setsuna seem to be really,
really clo-aaaaah! Bad thoughts, bad thoughts!'

The Question that was spoken aloud seems to be the same that Fumiko was hoping...for a few seconds.
Then Fumiko's stutters become wildly worse, with the poor girl somehow pulling off an impression of
a vampire and an open watermelon at the same time. Niramo is too shocked to even think that this
sort of thing is even happening to her that she's frozen in place, wide eyes just watching Fumiko as
she backs up and hides behind a love seat like it's a shield. And...was she not denying it?!

Thankfully for her own nerves, Fumiko blurts out her own question that dispells the shock that was
feezing Niramo solid, and she falls backwards onto the ground. Still lying on the ground, the
stunned ravenette speaks up in a higher voice than normal. "I-uh...y-yeah! Of course! Go right on
ahead, t-there's more where that came from! In fact, i'll make more real quick!"

Scrambling to her feet and with a face feeling hot enough to cook eggs on in seconds, Niramo
actually runs into the kitchen to get started on the second batch of brownies. "I-i'll make these
with white chocolate in them too!" With her body moving on autopilot, Niramo could only scream the
same question repeatedly in her head:

'WHY DID I ASK THAT?!'

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The magic of brownies saves everything! While Fumiko is still peeking out nervously from
behind a love seat, and was still a deeply red, she wasn't pale any more, and was shaking about half
as much. "T-thanks! That means a lot to me, you mean a lot to me and are special - as a friend! As a
friend! Your brownie sacrifice will be remembered forever by your dear close normal friend,
hahaha...." She slinks out shyly back to the table and gingerly grabs the last brownie. "White
chocolate ones too? Y-you don't have to! You have done more than enough and... yeah... I'm glad I
asked the exact question I wanted to that there can be no doubt about!" She then plants her head on
the table, groaning with self-annoyance.

2021-05-08 - Out of the Dragon's Den and...

2021-05-10T01:28:44Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Out of the Dragon's Den and...'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''After taking care of a weaker Youma by themselves, Sourisi and Serpentina Ruse have a quick talk. What started off with a good laugh turns into building up courage for the Snake.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Akihabara Electric Town
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2021-5-8 - 2015-11-23
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Akihabara Electric Town +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Brave Akihabara, holy land of nerds, Akihabara of the cartoony signs and
gumball-machine colors. One can buy anything in Akihabara, as long as it is
computer gear, electronics or anime merchandise. The main strip is the
glitziest, with a large percentage of the visible building faces covered in
electronic signs, huge posters, or garish paint jobs, and there one can
purchase coveted new items at (or just a hair before) their street dates.
The streets to either side are home to a messier brand of store, where one
can, with a little luck and persistence, find used goods like that rare
out-of-print first edition Sailor V figurine or vanity press Pretty Cure
doujinshi. These smaller stores compete ferociously for space, and can be
found crammed into alleyways and spilling out onto sidewalks as well as in
more standard configuration.

Those whose tastes run more to programming than fandom can find the area,
also known as Akihabara Electric Town, quite rewarding as well. It's the
perfect place to shop for computer parts and other gadgets for projects both
personal and paranormal, with the venue ranging from a posh cutting-edge
robotics store on the main strip, to tiny stalls wedged into alleys that
sell high-grade electronics on the cheap. The latter category manage this
feat of thrift by selling unpackaged items taken from wholesale lots, and
piled up for display like supermarket apples.

It's relatively safe to be seen wearing unusual clothing here; it's likely
to be taken for cosplay, or the uniform of one of the diversely themed maid
cafes.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Akihabara in the evening was always quite a sight, and tonight is no exception. Buildings
and signs are lit up in so many pretty colors, you would almost forget that most of them are
advertisements. It is dark enough for the flashing lights to shine, but not too dark that they are
blinding, nor too late to do any last minute activities. Electronics stores, manga and memorabelia
shops, cafes and even gamer bars are still - or just now - opening, a few hours from closing. It is
almost breathtaking.

But that's not why a green-clad heroine is trying to catch her breath on the roof of a
manga store. Her long brown hair, ribbon running through her lengthy braid, drapes in front of her
face. Her mask and almost-glowing yellow eyes are slightly obscured by it. She holds herself up with a closed parasol, breathing a bit ragged.

"Wow... um... I think I overdid it a bit," Serpentina admits, flushed from more than just
exertion. "I... really thought that youma was stronger than that or I wouldn't have tried that
risky, yet really cool move just now. Or... maybe we are just so good, and so good as a team, that
we beat that crazy thing super easy when it was actually pretty powerful. Right, Squeaks?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

For someone who has been born and raised in Tokyo all their lives, the bright lights winking on one
at a time can be taken for granted and completely ignored. Yet for those that are not yet blinded to the lights, seeing this chaotic artificial rainbow coming together can be absolutely stunning - as long as they're fine with that rainbow being made out of advertisements.

Sourisi is sitting on the edge of the rooftop, a big grin on her lips as she watches her partner in
mischief stopping to take a quick breather. Surely her shaking wasn't from barely held laughter, not in
the slightest. It has to be her breathing in and out rapidly, catching her own breath. Right?
"Maaaybe just a little!"

Sourisi leans back slightly, resting herself with her arms holding herself up on the rooftop. "I
really think you just caught that cartoon dragon off guard! I mean, jumping above it and stuffing
your parasol in it's mouth? It wasn't expecting that! At least it only exploded into confetti when
it tried to breath fire..." Sourisi is glad things didn't get messier, even if property damage tends
to fix itself after a magical battle takes place. "You did better than me there, Slithery!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpentina kicks the umbrella up and hoists it onto her shoulders. She slowly walks over to
the mouse ninja and sits down next to her on the edge. "Yeah, the confetti was a bit of a surprise,"
she says, holding back a giggle. "But I had faith in this little friend with the fire." She taps her
parasol, then frowns slightly. "Maybe too much - I mean it did survive, but I had quite a rough
landing."

She grins at Sourisi and nudges her arm slightly. "Better than you? What about how you
dealt with its tail? That was some quick, clever thinking... using cartoon tactics to slow down a
cartoon dragon. I never even would have thought of that if I had a million years to! That was...
was..." She finally cannot stop herself, and bursts out laughing. Luckily she isn't some klutz that
would laugh herself off the edge of a building, but it almost looks like she would with how hard her
laughter is. "S..sorry...ha... should probably treat this youma attack seriously... give it the
respect it de...serves...pffhahaha!"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi snorts a little as she recalls Serpentina's momentary pause in midair before gravity took
hold, trying desperately not to laugh at her friend's expense. "The look on your face was priceless,
though! And it wasn't that rough...right?" Now that the snake lady was speaking it out loud, Sourisi
was giving her fellow Miraculous User a careful look over. She did seem just fine, despite the bits
of dirt on her.

Sourisi blushes a little at that and turns her head in embarrasment. "I may have watched a lot of
cartoons growing up, and normal stuff wasn't quite working. Besides, i'm a mouse! Sticking a chain
on it and weaving it around the store worked perfectly!" At first, the Mouse that Roars feels a
little embarrased as Serpentina's laughter catches hold, but before long she joins in as well.
Sourisi's just glad she's leaning backwards already, so she doesn't have to worry about falling.
Don't need a picture of that on the Ladyblog! "Pffff, how can you?! I honestly feel a little bad for
it, it's much cuter than the real dragon I saw once!"

It does feel good to laugh, and she hasn't had a laughing fit like this in a while. There was too
much seriousness going on lately, it felt great just to have something that was worth laughing
about.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi had nothing to worry about. Serpentina didn't even get any scrapes or bruises from
that; she was just rattled a bit and kind of embarrassed. "Right. Not that rough. Just reckless of
me." Serpentina is happy she wasn't the only one to do something crazy. "Well, that chain thing
worked pretty well, yeah. Guess we both got caught up in the moment, but it worked, so..."

After her laughing fit, Serpentina sighs, almost seeming to deflate a little bit. "Phew...
I... I needed that laugh. This was just the cure the doctor ordered for my stress, and...."
Something finally registers with the snake warrior. "Real dragon? You saw a real dragon? That's
incredible! Maybe what I wanted to talk to you about isn't as important."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi just shakes her head as the laughter finally dies down for her, her grin not shrinking in
the slighest. "You know how I do things! I don't think ahead in the slightest, I just run in and do
whatever comes to mind. I'm all about...uh...right! Tactics, not strategy." Tactics would suggest
that short-term plans for battles is what she's a master of, but Sourisi doesn't tend to think
things through. It's just luck on her end!

Seeing that her slithery friend was starting to become a little more serious, Sourisi turned her
head slightly. "I think we both did! Things have been crazy with weird dreams and-" Sourisi jumps a
little as Serpentina catches the mention of the dragon and she nods her head.

"Yep! Me and a few others accidently walked into an ambush that was set by one of the Wind Knight's
enemies, and we ended up on another world. We had to fight off a giant dragon and...uh...well..."
Sourisi rubs the back of her neck and looks to the side in embarrasment. "You know that joke of
'Rocks fall, everyone dies'? Well...I didn't die obviously, but I certainly got crushed."

Now it's Sourisi's turn to catch something, and Slithery gets Squeaks' full attention. "Oh, you want
to talk about something? I'm up for anything, maybe I can help you out!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Yeah, thinking ahead is definitely not one of your strong suits," Serpentina jokes. "Not
enough action for you. But honestly?" She shrugs. "I like planning ahead, but it isn't a luxury that
we're often given, so I admire your ability to do stuff on the fly." Her mischivous grin softens
into a genuine smile, one that beams pride of her friend. "I guess I tried to be like you and... it
worked this time, but it was nowhere near as...'smooth'?"

Dragons? Other worlds? Ambushes? Serpentina's bright eyes widen. "That's... that sounds
like one big story. I'd love to hear it some time." However, her own concerns were being addressed,
snapping her out of her wonder. "Thank you. There's been something weighing on me lately. I have
this friend..." She hesitates, and takes a breath. "I'm not going to name names due to privacy." She
seems nervous, glancing away, hands shaking. "Okay... this friend... I have suspicions about. I
think they might be... one of us. So many clues have been piling up. And the one of us might be
someone I-" Again, hesitation. "Maybe I should forget about it. But I can't. What if my friend isn't
just a... a civilian? What if they... 'play the same game' we do? How do I know without directly
asking them, and possibly giving away my secret to someone who actually ISN'T involved? Or worse...
secretly an enemy?" She shakes her head. "No, not an enemy, there's no whay she- th-they- would...
huh, I'm not good at this."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpentina gets it, and honestly doesn't seem like she's mocking Sourisi for being how she is. "If I
try to plan things out, more often than not it'll be too late by the time I want to do those plans!"
The mouse gives her scalebound friend a true smile in return, not at all like the large grins she
tends to wear in the heat of battle. This was more personal, showing that she trusts Serpentina.
"Practice makes perfect, but i'll need someone to help me out if I get in over my head."

Sourisi leans forward and rests her elbows on her knees as she listens to Serpentina's plight. The
difficulties of keeping others from finding out your secret identity or your magical one is always
tough. Suspecting that someone can use magic like you can is a different problem and one that
Sourisi actually has little experience with. Despite just how many times Takk has stressed just how
important it was to keep her identity secret, the Miraculous Ninja has let it slip out several
times. And with several people suspecting her to this day, it can be hard.

Sourisi holds her tongue as she gathers her thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to say them
out loud. "Well...honestly? I think it might be best to confront your friend about it, if you're 99%
sure they're in the know. If you keep trying to needle them to get them to slip up without being up
front about it, it can make you look bad! Plus, you're going to be thinking about it constantly
whenever you're with your friend, so things might get awkward."

Sitting upright, she looks at Serpentina directly in the eyes. "Just know that if you do want to
know who they are, they have the right to know who you are as well." A rosy tint blooms on Sourisi's
cheeks from embarrasment, and she spreads her fingers out for Serpentina to see. "The people who
know my secret? I need both hands to count. I'm...not really that good at keeping things a secret.
But!" She points a finger at Serpentina at this. "I know them too, and feel a lot closer with them
because of this. It's a risk, but it's always worked out so far!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpentina finally did it. She let the burden reveal itself in the open air, and released
it. She sinks a little more, looking tired yet thoughtful. Perhaps she could now get some advice,
and maybe that advice could lead to closure. But... it isn't the advice she was expecting. "Let...
my friend know my suspicions? Which... would let them know I'm in the know? Are you..."

When Sourisi looks into Serpentina's eyes, Serpentina stares back. Gazes into them, giving
Sourisi her full attention. There would be no way Sourisi would try to trick her, or do anything to
hurt her. And her eyes reflected it. Serpentina only reads concern and kindness from them, as she of
course expected. Sourisi was her wonderful, wonderful friend.

She then blinks and blushes. That was probably a bit creepy. "Yeahh... keeping the secret
is difficult. Especially due to who I am. Not in name or in situation, but in heart. I... I'm all
sneaky and trying to be clever, but... I'm also working on being more open, honest, and a good
person. You might not know this about me, but... I'm never sure I deserve to be a hero, but it at
least makes me feel better that I can help instead of hurt. Keeping secrets... lying... that's all
stuff I want behind me. And if you are sure about this... I will let my friend in."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The surprise in Serpentina's face is pretty obvious, despite the domino mask meant to hide her
identity. It's honestly what she was expecting, and Sourisi nods once. "I'm positive! If you are
absolutely certain, then find some private time that you know you won't be walked in on or
overheard! If not...just, uh, keep investigating, but I want to explain my reasoning!"

Sourisi stands up and starts to pace back and forth on the rooftop, her left hand reaching around to
tug on the end of her braid due to all the nervous energy she has. "I noticed something when I first
got my Miraculous and began to protect Tokyo. Groups like the Pretty Cures or the Sailor
Scouts...well, they work great together! They depend on one another, their attacks to be powered up
when combined, and I don't think it's just because they use the same kind of magic. I helped out
Ladybug in fights before and...well...I feel like we're not working as well as we could be? It's
hard to describe..." Sourisi shrugs her shoulders, hoping that Serpentina had an idea of what she
was going on about.

"Takk...Ladybug, they're all for making sure we keep our identity secret from one another, and I
understand why! It's so if Hawkmoth manages to Akuma one of us, that we won't go after the others
and their families. Just..." Sourisi sighs heavily before standing still and looking again at
Serpentina. "...I feel like i'm alone sometimes. I wanted to tell her and Chat that maybe we can
show one another, but...i'm afraid to do it."

It honestly feels good for Sourisi to say these thoughts out loud, as if she's removing a weight
that she's been carrying for months. "Heh, I know I was supposed to help you out, but you're helping
me out too! Just...I think just make *really* sure about your friend being in the know. Things can
get dangerous if they can't protect themselves..."

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Absolutely certain..." Sure, Serpentina had a lot of clues. They were hard to ignore. Yet,
absolutely certain? Is that even possible? Her mental gears grind into overdrive. How? What if she
messes up? What if she's wrong? What if what if what if-

She stops herself from hyperventilating, taking a deep breath and letting it out. "S-sorry... I'm okay. Got into my own head for a second." The tension slightly fades, but is still visible. Talk of teams does distract the stressed snake. "Yes... I think I know what you mean. All the training we've been doing together... the improvements don't seem to be from the exercise, it seems to be from... our connection and friendship or something I can't put into words. I guess... a wavelength thing?" As for the loneliness and fear, she could relate. "Yes. Yes I understand
completely. Even as a team, we're all seperated by the mask. You're... you're right in a lot of
ways. It would be great to be friends with my allies. But... it's scary to let myself be... be...
um..."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

As Serpentina trails off for a moment, Sourisi watches curiously as she takes in a deep breath and
lets it out. Was she...was she worrying Slithery? Serpentina must have been thinking about this for
quite a while, and her advice is making things worse?! But Serpentina does break herself out of it,
but seeing how she reacted was making Sourisi a little worried.

Sourisi's smile returns as Serpentina does get what she's talking about, and she lets out a long
sigh. "Oh, thank goodness. You get it too! Your idea for me to use Shift Flip with my tonfa worked
perfectly against an Akuma soccer player. I know I wouldn't have been able to think of trying that
myself if you hadn't brought it up during our training, so thank you a lot." Serpentina makes it
sound much better by saying that they are on the same wavelength!

Serpentina seems to be having the same doubts as Sourisi, but there has to be more going on.
'Slithery seems to be worried about...maybe letting others know who she is?' With her friend
trailing off again and seeming so unsure and not at all the confident person she knows, Sourisi has
to do something. She just hopes she doesn't overstep herself.

Sitting back down on the ledge next to the brunette, Sourisi reaches over and gives Serpentina a
quick, tight hug. They're both stumbling over their words right now, but her dad said that actions
speak louder than words. Maybe this will show how much she cares.

Sourisi pulls back after a moment but makes sure to keep her hands on Serpentina's shoulders. "Hey,
we're friends despite the masks, right? I think the best advice I can give is...well, something my
dad drilled into my head when I was younger. Just go with your gut and do what you think is best,
okay?"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"I... helped? I'm so glad to hear it. I figured that would be a good strategic, yet stylish
and cool and fast tech." Serpentina feels better, but not best. There is still too much going on
inside her head. too much to process, but at least that helps a little. What really helps though...
is Sourisi's hug. It completely catches her off-guard, and those gears in her head... grind to a
halt. For a moment, she goes completely blank. A couple tears drop out of her eyes, and her flat
expression becomes a soft, tiny smile. Afterwards, when Sourisi lets go, Serpentina blinks the tears
away. "Go with my gut? I... my gut is telling me... this." She pulls Sourisi back into a hug,
squeezing tightly and not letting go for a really long time. Eventually, the hug loosens a bit, and
Serpentina whispers into her friend's ear.

"Thank you."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Even though Sourisi's responsible for half the stress Serpentina is dealing with right now, hugging
her seems like the right thing to do! When Slithery froze up for a second, Sourisi was afraid that
she did overstep her bounds. Was she making her uncomfortable? Sourisi always tries to do what she
can to make others feel at ease, so did she-

Then Serpentina pulls her in close and hugs her tight, one that is readily returned. This isn't just
a hug between teammates, but an embrace between two friends that truly care for one another despite
not knowing the other's real name. Friends certainly don't bring attention to tears of joy. Sourisi
whispers back, completely ignoring the lights of Tokyo for once.

"You're welcome."

2021-04-30 - Hot Topics over Hot Pot

2021-05-04T01:02:57Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Hot Topics over Hot Pot'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Niramo invites Fumiko over to her house for a warm meal during a chilly November day. Disasterous dishes and praise for magical girls of all sorts are the topics shared in a cozy home.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitmachi Low City - Umokeshi Residence
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2021-4-30 - 2015-11-21
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Shitamachi Low City +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The traditions that the Shitamachi cultural region keeps alive were ancient
long before the Shogun turned the fishing town of Edo into Tokyo, "Eastern
Capital." The area has evolved greatly since then, but though Shitamachi is
a highly modernized metropolis, its traditions somehow coexist with bullet
trains, research universities, and electronics markets. The occasional
person in kimono and sandals will wait at the crossing alongside salarymen
in business suits. Compared to Yamanote, there are more bicycles, family
businesses, and food carts, and fewer scooters, corporations, and
convenience stores. Certain wards in Shitamachi can be just as dense and
urbanized as anything in Yamanote, but there's a tendency toward low-rise
apartment complexes in the residential areas, and office buildings rather
than office towers in the commercial.

The distinction between Shitamachi and Yamanote is messy, both
geographically and demographically, but significant enough that it remains
the most significant cultural divide in Tokyo. Shitamachi people, as a
whole, take themselves less seriously, and have a stronger sense of
community that feeds upon their active street culture of markets, shops, and
festivals. They may not be fashionable, but they are /fun/. The Juuban
public schools, undistinguished but in some ways better off for it,
exemplify this plebeian joie de vivre quite well. The Shitamachi dialect is
less distinct than it used to be, but it is still a force to be reckoned
with, with a broader, less refined, and more energetic sound to it than
standard Japanese.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

A canvas of dull gray blocks the sight of a clear blue sky from the people of Tokyo, and was
drenching the city below in a steady but light drizzle. If you didn't have a watch on hand, you
wouldn't even be able to guess if it was morning or the late afternoon on this dreary November day. It's the perfect kind of weather to stay indoors and lazily watch something on television.

It's also the perfect kind of weather for hot food.

The wearisome weather may be making the exterior of the Umokeshi household look bland, the red tiled roof not standing out as vividly and the iron gate out front looking like it was 5 minutes away from
rusting. The inside of the house is thankfully much more lively.

The large TV off to one side was currently playing a commercial for a shopping center with a catchy
tune. A gaming console several generations old was still plugged into the front, a game cart inside
it well known for destroying friendships in a colorful party game of luck and chance. Most
importantly, there was a smell flooding the entire house that was orginating from the kitchen, a
promise of a filling meal only minutes away.

Niramo was in the kitchen and using a small footstool to check up on the small crockpot on the
counter. Lifting the lid off and setting the knob on the front to heat, Niramo takes a quick sniff
of the steam and nods. "The sukiyaki is ready, Fumiko-chan!"

Niramo scoops out large amounts of the hot pot into two seperate bowls before covering the crock pot
back up. Taking the bowls out to the living room, Niramo slides one one of the bowls over to the
friend across the low table and smiles. "Smells fine, so I think I did the hot pot right."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Once again, Fumiko's puffy black coat was useful, as was her new umbrella. The bright pink
umbrella with a simple yet familliar snake pattern swirled around it protected her from the cold
rain, much like her coat protected her from the cold air.

Now they both rest in her friend's house - coat on the coat rack, umbrella in the umbrella stand.
And she herself rests in the living room, eagerly awaiting a warm serving of...

"What's that smell," Fumiko asks, sniffing the air. "It smells quite good! And not at all like
something's on fire!" Sukiyaki was ready, and so was she. After giving thanks, she carefully
manipulates the chopsticks to feed herself a small amount, and...

..bends over as if sick. "Ugh.. you think you got it right? Really? No you didn't... you got it..."
She then leans in, her 'disgusted' expression softening and turning into a smile. "....perfect. You
are quite the chef~"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko's new umbrella certainly caught Niramo's attention when she first saw her friend arrive with
it. A snake-themed parasol does stand out, and the ravenette knows one person who uses such a thing
all the time in the magical community. It's likely just one big coincidence though! Just because
someone buys snake-themed doesn't mean they're a snake person.

Niramo is completely ignoring the fact that she may have more mouse-themed purchased in the last six
months.

Niramo raises an eyebrow from the kitchen and shakes her head, a concerned look on her face. "Please
don't tell me you set things on fire all the time...then again, I seen someone put octopus ink in
spaghetti..." Niramo trails off after that, not wanting to remember that horrid memory more vividly.

Everything certainly seems fine and Niramo eagerly watch her friend/guinea pig test the sukiyaki for
her reaction, but her instantly curling up on herself had Niramo getting a horrified look on her
face. She was halfway up to go get a waste basket for Fumiko to get sick in it before the prankster
came clean. Relief flooded her face for a moment before Niramo pouts and sticks her tounge out at
the brown-haired girl. "Geeze...I was afraid we were going have to go take our chances with
takeout!"

Taking apart her own chopsticks, Niramo samples a bit of the cooked beef first just to make sure,
and nods in appreciation at her own cooking. "Whew...thanks, but flattery won't get you dessert, you
know! Besides, i'm not that great, I only started cooking meals a few months ago. Usually I just do
sweets."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko tries and fails to stifle a blush at Niramo worrying about her setting things on
fire. "I...um... am not the greatest cook. My talents lie elsewhere." She then subtly tilts her head
and looks at Niramo with curiosity. "Octopus ink... in spaghetti? I heard there was some dish like
that but... is that wrong? Is it a different type of noodle, or is it squid ink not octopus ink?"

A quiet laugh, a cross between a chuckle and a giggle, leaves Fumiko's mouth after she
reveals that food would not. "I'm sorry, but I had to tease you. That's..." She freezes for a half a
second, face scrunching slightly. "Huh... I guess that's what I do with people I like, but... it
does seem kinda mean at times. And I'm trying to get better about that." A bit of noodles, a bit of
meat, a little bit of everything is carefully picked up with the chopsticks, and carefully eaten.
"Mmm. Mhm. If you aren't that great, you will be, I'm sure! But yeah... your desserts are better.
But desserts usually are."

Fumiko's eyes widen, and her head whips around towards the house's entrance. "Oh! I forgot
to show you! I got a new umbrella! I don't know whether it is a knockoff of Serpentina's or just a
coincidence, but after our shopping trip getting that figurine, I had to buy it!"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo shudders a little before nodding her head. "I remember hearing there's a dish like that too,
but we were supposed to be making classic spaghetti for a class. The group I was paired up with had
spicy peppers in the noodles too, and the class before, another group made exploding pancakes that
covered the whole room. You just burning things is an improvement, trust me."

Niramo rolls her eyes and waves Fumiko off as she starts to get onto herself before delivering her
friend a fond smile. "It's all in good fun, and you're fine! Besides, if I really thought it was
that bad, I wouldn't hang out with you all the time, right?" Niramo enjoys some of her noodles after
shoving aside the offending pickle slice away. "You're doing great, just keep at it!"

Niramo does blush at hearing the praise coming from Fumiko, and looks at her friend gratefully.
"Thanks, really. Food always taste better when you share it with someone, so I just think that's the
case here. And you just want to butter me up for some cookies later, huh?"

"And here I thought you were a Sourisi fan! I'm starting to think you just like magical girls with
animal themes!" Niramo calls out to Fumiko as she goes to retrieve the umbrella from earlier. "You
really know where to find good deals though!" Yeah, Fumiko is likely just a fan girl for magical
girls. Makes total sense!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Exploding. Pancakes." Just the thought of those two words together makes Fumiko go blank.
"...how. That... should not be a thing." Frozen in place, her hand hovers above the bowl, chopsticks
in hand. A bit of food falls off back into the bowl.

The conversation about her humor has a better reaction. Fumiko relaxes and smiles. "Thanks.
I'm glad I'm not hurting any feelings here. It is something I always worry about." She picks up
speed in her eating, not wanting any of the food to go cold. "I'm trying my best, thank you. Not
always easy."

"JUST want the cookies? Well, yeah I would love you to make some, but every word I said was
true. I am envious of you. Cooking is kinda scary."

Sourisi fan? Fumiko is definitely a Sourisi fan, but not for the reasons Niramo thinks...
or maybe... She shakes her head. "No, I'm a huge fan of Sourisi. She's so cool, and talented, and
amazing. But Serpentina is pretty cool too, and that bootleg toy looks like me a little. So I
thought I'd get the umbrella to go with. Maybe I could cosplay as her too, some time. You could
totally see me as Serpentina, couldn't you? But I think you'd be a better Serpentina... maybe you
really are her?" She looks suspiciously at Niramo, as if trying to glare into her very soul and read
her very heart. "Hm... are you?" She then smiles and winks. "Nah, just kidding."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo gestures wildly with her chopsticks as Fumiko can only imagine the horrors she has faced. "I.
Don't. Know! All I know is that Usagi Tsukino was one of the members of the group, so I try not to
be around if I see her near a stove. But! In her defense, there wasn't any labels on the
ingredients."

Niramo just smiles as she enjoys a bit more of the hot pot, this time banishing a slice of carrot to
the same 'corner' in her bowl as the pickle. "Just take it one step at a time! You'll do good as
long as you keep at it, and I can get onto you if you take it too far, if you want. Just...don't try
the exploding pancake idea."

Niramo's blush grows more visible as it's apparent that Fumiko wasn't just trying to get some extra
snacks with some kind words. She's worked hard to get where she is, and hearing someone really
compliment her for her efforts is making the ravenette quite flustered. "I-I mean, it's not really
'that' special. I just follow the recipe, anyone can do that..."

Hearing all this praise for Sourisi is only making Niramo's face a bright beet red. She doesn't take
on monsters or Akuma for fame! Hopefully Fumiko just think that she's just overreacting to the
cooking praise.

Fumiko's suggestion that she could cosplay as the Scalebound Heroine does make Niramo think about
the possible connection. And Fumiko has been alluding that she knows the ravenette is the magical
community for a while now...wait a minute, Niramo sees it now! 'She wants to make it seem like she's
a magical girl to make me spill the beans! Nu-uh, no way. Fumiko would be in danger since she can
not defend herself.' "I like green, but not that much! Besides, I don't know the first thing about
William 'Snake'speare."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It seems that there is a mysterious Youma in the house. After all, how else could you
explain Fumiko's rapidly-vanishing sukiyaki? "Thank you. Thank you for the meal, for the help,
for... lots of stuff. Mostly for being my friend. I've never been good at that, and now I've got one
who is both nice and good at cooking! If I 'just followed the recipe', it would probably come to
life and eat us instead of the other way around!" Despite always being fast with a quip, this feels
honest and heartfelt. She really was opening herself to Niramo.

And now the games begin. "Hahaha, 'snake'speare, good one. You are quite clever! But maybe
you're right. Maybe you'd be a better Sourisi. You have the s...skill for it! We could totally be a
cool villain-fighting duo! But..." She rubs her head in thought. "...what do you like about them?
You seem to be a fan too. Maybe for the same reasons as me, maybe for others? I'd love to know what
you're thinking."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Hearing Fumiko stumble a little as she thanks Niramo several times about simply being there has the
ravenette wishing that more at Juuban would give Fumiko a chance to know her. She really has acted
out in the past with some pranks, but Fumiko was really trying to shed that reputation of being a
wild prankster. "Well, if you really are serious about learning how to cook, i'll be more than happy
to help you out. I don't want you living on instant ramen all your life!"

Niramo's clever attempt to distract Fumiko with a pun fell flat, but as Fumiko starts to question
why she knows so much, the ravenette feels herself relax a little. She's absolutely terrible at
telling a lie, but this wouldn't be keeping the truth a secret! "Honestly? I'm a big fan of magical
girls in general, both the real and fictional ones. Detective Lovelace is one of my favorite shows!
And...well, take Serpentina for example. She's pretty cool, stylish, stays calm in the face of
danger, and she kicks total butt with a parasol of all things! You see magical girls and boys with
swords, staffs, or even their bare fists. Serpentina kicks monster butt with a stylish weapon that
stands out!"

Niramo reaches around for the end of her ponytail and tugs on the end once or twice. "It's why I
collect magical girl figurines, because they're all so inspiring."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko listens intently with a knowing grin on her face, which slowly fades as a blush
spreads across her cheek and over her whole face. Perhaps asking what Niramo liked about Serpentina
wasn't the best question. "I-I see. Yes. I agree. She's... pretty cool. I do like my...umbrella. B-
but I doubt I can fight with it like she can. Serpentina is super cool and stylish, like Sourisi is
awesome and kicks butt with a wildness that is an inspiration. So they are a couple of my
favorites." She glances away, trying to hide her embarrassment of both Niramo's unknowing praise of
her and having to compliment herself. "I.. um... also collect a few figurines and stuff, but nothing
too serious. Because they are inspiring. To me. A-anyways, I seem to have run out of food."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo notices the blush and raises an eyebrow in surprise, but doesn't try to interupt Fumiko. With
how much Fumiko is praising her so much about how she fights as Sourisi, it's a wonder she hasn't
burst into flames! It feels a little weird talking about herself in third person. "So we're both in
agreement that the Mouse and Snake are our favorites, then? They may not throw out rainbow shots or
beams of magic, but they really are something."

Niramo's blush dies down some, and she gives an embarrased smile towards Fumiko. "Well, if it makes
you feel any better, I been collecting figurines for over a year now! I have an old Sailor V one
that is my first one, and I have several more of her since then!" She's not trying to brag about
being a bigger magical girl nerd, but wanting to make Fumiko feel a bit more at ease.

Oh right! The sukiyaki! "Good news, then! I made extra for when mom and dad come home tonight,
you're more than free to have some more if you want! But then you might not have room for ice
cream~"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko lets out a sigh after all that talk, her face returning to its original color.
"Yeah, Mouse and Snake. One of the reasons they are cool is because they don't throw out rainbow
shots or beams of magic. They are a little more relatable." The talk of figurines cools things down
even more. "Sailor V? Nice. She's got a widespread appeal. I wooonder what her connection to Sailor
Venus could be, maybe they're sisters~" She giggles at that thought, but then another curious
thought arrived. "Wonder what's with the Sailor theme. None of them seem to use boats, and only one
uses water."

More sukiyaki? Ice cream? "Noooo.... why did you have to make me make such a difficult
choice? I don't knooowww!" Being part of the Drama Club doesn't seem to be paying off this time, as
her despair was incredibly cheesy. "Hm. What kind of ice cream? And what about your parents? I don't
want to steal their food!"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo lets out a small sigh of relief as Fumiko changes the topic to something further away from
personal details. And someone who likes that the Miraculous Ninja isn't flashy?...is this what
having a die hard fan is like? "...you know? I been wondering about that for ages! They look nothing
like sailing outfits! They're very colorful and shows they work together, but...they're not sailing
anything!"

The Sailor Scouts are well known for a reason, but the fact they don't sail or rarely scout boggles
the mind!

It seems the fate of the hot pot lies in the next few seconds, and it all hinges on one flavor.
"Ooh, triple chocolate. You know, little bits of fudge and chocolate chip in chocolate ice cream? I
usually keep it all for myself, but...I can spare some for a friend!"

The question about her parents does have Niramo somber a bit, a small smile on her lips. "Usually
i'm in bed by the time mom gets home, and dad starts to sleep just before I wake up for school, so I
usually try to make extra so they have something to eat before I call it a night." It's clear that
while Niramo does love her parents, she does wish they would spend more time with her. "Dad's a
detective, so he works weird hours."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Yeah, that is interesting." Fumiko ponders the question they both share. "Why sailors?
Perhaps it is the only uniform they had available? Maybe we should ask them next time we're with
them. Oh wait." Fumiko sticks out her tongue at Niramo. "Like that would ever happen." A more
important matter needs to be dealt with. "Triple chocolate... yeah, as much as I loved dinner, I
think triple chocolate anything always wins out. Next time, I'll get you something, to repay your
ice cream sacrifice."

So... Niramo's parents are on a different schedule than her... Fumiko nods understandingly.
"It sounds like they work hard. Must be difficult, but at least they are good. Some parents are
always there but... never there, you know? My mom..." She swallows. "My mom has gotten better. Not
that we need to talk about this." She covers her face with her hands and frowns. "I go from keeping
all kinds of secrets to completely opening up and oversharing. I need to keep SOME secrets and can't
share EVERY detail of my personal life. I mean, admitting my weirdness, my collections and interests
in certain magical girls, I'm going overboard. Guess its because I never had a friend to share
things like this."

Wow, that was heavy. Fumiko decides to fix that. "What toppings do we have for the ice
cream? Ever try dipping strawberries in chocolate and adding them to ice cream? What is your opinion
on sprinkles?" And so on and so forth, starting an onslaught ice cream questions. And it stopped
being about a distraction; now she's really into it. After all...

Dessert is a serious topic.

Ashen Knight

2021-04-29T21:58:23Z

Blasktin: Creating the wiki page for the Ashen Knight.

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 80%; float: center; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#E0F8FF; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''Ashen Knight'''
|-
! colspan="4" align="center" | [[File:Ashen_Knight.jpg|350px]]
|-
! style="background:#E0F8FF; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Name:
| colspan="3" | Ashen Knight
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Intelligent Device:
| colspan="3" | Unknown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Race:
| colspan="3" | Belkan
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Gender:
| colspan="3" | Female
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age:
| colspan="3" | Unknown
|-
! style="background:#E0F8FF; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''Background'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Background:
| colspan="3" | The Ashen Knight is an ancient warrior that fought in an ancient war, fighting alongside her fellow Knights and the Princess against an unknown foe.
It is known that she was an orphan and considered the other Knights as her own family. The name of her Device has been lost to time.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Abilities:
| colspan="3" | The Ashen Knight, in conjunction with the Device she wielded, was very talented for using ice to great effect on the battlefield. Her rapier's movements is said to leave behind afterimages.
|-
! style="background:#E0F8FF; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''Relationships'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Umbral Knight:
| colspan="3" | The Umbral and Ashen Knight were knighted at the same time, and worked together constantly against Belkan's enemies. Both knights lost many brothers and sisters in arms as the war raged on, yet were able to support each other and keep going.
|-
! style="background:#E0F8FF; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Soundtrack:
| [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6kXb0NL1PE Nier OST - Snow in Summer]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| [[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]] - SeekerS
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:Blasktin|Blasktin]]
|-
|}

====Logs and Cutscenes====
{{#dpl: |category = logs
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = cutscenes
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 1
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

{{#dpl: |category = cutscenes
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = logs
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 1
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no cutscenes on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

File:Ashen Knight.jpg

2021-04-29T21:56:34Z

Blasktin: Blasktin uploaded a new version of "File:Ashen Knight.jpg"

A picture of an ancient Belkan knight known as the Ashen Knight.

File:Ashen Knight.jpg

2021-04-29T21:54:28Z

Blasktin: Blasktin uploaded a new version of "File:Ashen Knight.jpg"

A picture of an ancient Belkan knight known as the Ashen Knight.

File:Ashen Knight.jpg

2021-04-29T21:33:40Z

Blasktin: A picture of an ancient Belkan knight known as the Ashen Knight.

A picture of an ancient Belkan knight known as the Ashen Knight.

2021-04-24 - Counterfeit Doesn't Beat the Real Deal

2021-04-25T22:09:42Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Counterfeit Doesn't Beat the Real Deal'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Niramo and Fumiko meet up after school to do some shopping around Akihabara. A visit to a shady pop-up store has the two girls collecting something new, and for Fumiko, a bit closer towards the truth.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Akihabara Electric Town
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2021-04-24 - 2015-11-19
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Akihabara Electric Town +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Brave Akihabara, holy land of nerds, Akihabara of the cartoony signs and
gumball-machine colors. One can buy anything in Akihabara, as long as it is
computer gear, electronics or anime merchandise. The main strip is the
glitziest, with a large percentage of the visible building faces covered in
electronic signs, huge posters, or garish paint jobs, and there one can
purchase coveted new items at (or just a hair before) their street dates.
The streets to either side are home to a messier brand of store, where one
can, with a little luck and persistence, find used goods like that rare
out-of-print first edition Sailor V figurine or vanity press Pretty Cure
doujinshi. These smaller stores compete ferociously for space, and can be
found crammed into alleyways and spilling out onto sidewalks as well as in
more standard configuration.

Those whose tastes run more to programming than fandom can find the area,
also known as Akihabara Electric Town, quite rewarding as well. It's the
perfect place to shop for computer parts and other gadgets for projects both
personal and paranormal, with the venue ranging from a posh cutting-edge
robotics store on the main strip, to tiny stalls wedged into alleys that
sell high-grade electronics on the cheap. The latter category manage this
feat of thrift by selling unpackaged items taken from wholesale lots, and
piled up for display like supermarket apples.

It's relatively safe to be seen wearing unusual clothing here; it's likely
to be taken for cosplay, or the uniform of one of the diversely themed maid
cafes.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The late autumn sun is barely visible above the top of the nearest buildings of Akihabara, the
streets crowded with throngs of school students and office workers looking for a good deal on the
way home. There's a noticable chill in the air, which hints at colder times to come. That, and
several stores were already brazen enough to have Christmas sale banners on display, loudly
proclaiming to purchase now to beat the holiday rush.

Niramo is still wearing her school uniform since it was a Thursday, but she's currently has a new
tan scarf wrapped around her lower face to keep it warm. The artificial lights coming from the
stores are inviting potential customers in to shop around and warm up, but Niramo was just happy to
shop around at the moment.

Turning her head around, Niramo's smile is just visible over her scarf as she looks over at Fumiko.
"Have you seen anything that catches your eye? I know I saw a secondhand store with an old console
around here somewhere..." Niramo has been saving up her allowance for a while for that console, and
she hopes it hasn't been sold yet.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The reason for Fumiko's backpack seeming completely stuffed during school is now apparent -
over her school uniform is now a large black winter coat. Segmented almost like scales, and very
thick, it almost gives the appearance of a puffy black dragon. The coat's hood hangs behind her
brown hair, out of the way.

What is less apparent is why she has a frog in her hair. Wait, that's just a hair ornament.
A pretty realistic hair ornament, but still not a real frog. It does match the hop in her step,
however.

Fumiko turns to her friend and smiles back. "There's quite a lot here actually," she
admits. "I have no idea where to start!" Her eyes dart back and forth from building to building,
window display to window display. It seems everything has her attention. Although there was one
thing in particular she was keeping an eye out for...

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko's puffy black coat is the subject of more than one jealous stare when she thinks Fumiko isn't
looking over at her. Sure, the winter uniform for Juuban has a blazer to keep the wearer warm...but
its' thin enough that wind cuts right through the jacket at the right angle. One issue with using a
bookbag is that you couldn't carry around an extra coat.

Niramo isn't the best when it comes to fashion, but you don't need fashion sense to see something
being absolutely cute. "Fumiko-chan, where did you get your ornament? I been thinking of getting
something for my hair." A dark green hair ribbon is holding Niramo's ponytail against the onslaught
of the wind, but maybe Niramo is on the lookout for something more?

The stores on the street have quite the colorful collection of items for sale. From secondhand
computer parts, GPS units, anime figurines and merchandise and even a small movie theater playing
older anime movies, Akihabara has quite the selection! There's even a street stand selling freshly
cooked takoyaki off to one side. "Same here. When I want to put off my homework for a while, I tend
to just wander around for a hour or so just to look around." Niramo seems to be enjoying herself,
even if she can't find what she came to find today.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko catches one of the glances from Niramo and a quick succession of emotions flashes
over her face. At first, she seems to think Niramo's coat jealousy is funny, but then scolds herself
at that. She was better than that. She was GETTING better than that. Finally, a look of realization
and slight concern as she starts to understand that maybe the envy wasn't about fashion. "Niramo,
are you cold? I um... could lend you my coat for a while. I thought I was just cold because I was
cold-blooded~" There were a number of meanings to that joke, but she was sure that Niramo had no way
of knowing... right?

Her eyes light up at the mention of her frog accessory. "Oh! There's this cute little shop,
neither expensive nor cheap. I don't know how they get away with their sales and not end up
bankrupt! I could show you some time!"

As the two pass stores with figurines and shirts, Fumiko's eyes lock on to one,
scrutinizing and perusing it. No... nope... nuh-uh... it doesn't look like it has what she is
looking for, if any place even POSSIBLY did. Maybe in a more shady store, one with less...
'official' merchandise? "Uh... mhm... what? Oh, sorry, zoned out a bit. Yeah, it is nice to stretch
your legs and do some window-shopping, and who knows? Maybe we'll find something neat and actually
buy a thing or two!"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo's stealthy glances may not have been as sneaky as she had wanted, especially once Fumiko
starts to get a little worried. Sure, she was shivering a little, but she's just not used to the
cold temperatures!...is what Niramo is telling herself. Maybe finding a cheap bookbag to carry
around an extra coat might be a good idea. Fumiko's pretty smart for thinking ahead, honestly.

"Huh?" Niramo jumps a little at being caught out like that, but she nods her head. "Y-yeah, a
little. We could take turns to make sure we're both not freezing. I though this scarf I got would be
enough. Here, i'll let you use it for a little while, too!" The tan scarf being offered was plain
looking yet very soft, not bad at all for something that was bought at a store a few days ago.

Niramo has another scarf back at home, but it would certainly cause issues if someone tried it on
and could be perfectly fine in a blizzard. Best to keep it mundane whenever possible.

Hearing that Fumiko doesn't mind showing where she got her frog hairclip is enough to put a spring
in her own step, despite the cold. "Some places have deals that just seem crazy yet work perfectly!
I been wanting to try stylizing a little and get away from generic clothing, but...yeah, i'm still
kinda hopeless when it comes to knowing what shirt works best with which pair of pants..."

Niramo has been catching Fumiko looking around the main street for a while, so it's clear she has
something in mind, but if it's something that not at a major store...oh, that makes sense.
"Something neat? Hmmm, well there's the alley streets! You can usually find a lot of unique items
there, but you have to be careful. I bought a few cheap knockoff figurines without realizing before,
but there's better deals too!" With that, Niramo starts to lead Fumiko down a side street branching
off from the busy main road.

It's noticably quieter once they start to head into the deeper sections of Akihabara, but not from
any lack of people browsing the stores. Not as many stores have speakers out front spouting off
advertisements mixed in with catchy music, and colorful banners are not quite as flashy as before.
The atmosphere has changed a little, but it can't be tied to any one thing, but it can make some
people feel a little on edge if they're not used to these streets.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko quickly sheds her backpack and coat, and hands the warm coat over to her friend.
"Yeah, taking turns is a great idea. We both get to be warm for a while!" She gives Niramo a wink
and a smile. "Can't have one of us freezing, and the other have to carry a cute ice sculpture!"

The cryptic nature of sales and deals gives Fumiko something to ponder about. "Hm, yes.
Maybe they have someone make them for them, instead of a company they have to buy through?" She
shrugs, though, quickly losing interest. Then Niramo says something that re-grabs her interest.
Fumiko opens her mouth to say something, but hesitates, slowly closing it and looking slightly to
the left of her. "Hm. Looking to find your own style? I was going to offer help but... I think that
might be a bit of a personal journey. I can comment on what looks good on you, but not on what 'is'
you. Buuuut... I can still help you find stuff if you want. Just... later. Kind of in the wrong
shopping area for finding yourself! We have other fish to fry~"

Speaking of which, it was time for a shopping adventure, off the beaten path! Now they were
getting somewhere! Fumiko sees just what Niramo meant. The prices were much better. A little too
good, in fact. Maybe just wholesale, maybe off-brand or factory-rejected stuff, or maybe... the
names on the things might not be accurate. Perhaps... perhaps she could find herself here.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Trading a scarf for a coat may not seem like a good trade for one trade, but Niramo isn't going to
turn down the extra heat right now! Her bookbag is thrown (gently) to a side, and the black coat is
slipped into gratefully. Burrowing in the coat a little, Niramo nods her head towards Fumiko. "I
like collecting figurines, but I rather not have a life-sized Fumiko one. She would find my hot
chocolate stash, i'm sure!"

Niramo is familiar with having to browse some less-than-legit stores in the search for legit
merchandise while on a very thin budget, so she knows her stuff when it comes to bargain hunting.
Fumiko may not have to deal with that kind of problem, but it's clear she knows what's up when it
comes to fashion. "Even if you make fun of something I put on, that'll be a big help, Fumiko-chan. I
know you'll be honest! I just tend to throw on anything that's comfortable, or try to be fashionable
and go completely overboard. And you're right, that's a conversation for another time!"

There's great deals to be found on these streets and in small stores, but you have to be careful
with what you buy. That new motherboard that's going for dirt cheap has likely been deep fried. That
blu-ray collection of an anime that's no longer in print won't play on any name brand devices, and
the quality will be abysmal. And then there's the stuff made by fans and for fans, and in the city
of Tokyo that has constant supernatural threats, magical girls are an ideal target for the market.

One store in praticular has several clothes racks just outside the open front of the store, with
shirts of many sizes having ironed on pictures of various magical girls on shirts straight out of a
dollar store. For anyone who may be a magical girl themselves, the faces match nothing like that
would in real life, like Sailor Venus looking nothing like she does in person. There's shirts here
for pretty much all the known magical girls, no matter how popular they may be with the public.
There's even quite a collection of resin figurines made that are a little rough around the edges,
like they have come from a 3D printer.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko giggles quietly when Niramo talks about the hot chocolate stash. "Mmm... probably
would~ But a Niramo figurine would be fun to have!" She puts her hands in her pockets... then
remembers those went when the coat did. Instead, she just shakes her hands a bit and wiggles her
fingers. "Not sure where I'd keep a full-sized one!"

Having an earnest conversation about fashion and friendship was nice, but being distracted
was another reason Fumiko thought this was for another time. For now, it was treasure-hunt time, and
among the dodgey-looking magical girl merch... there it was. A rough figure to be sure, but there
was no mistaking it.

A Serpentina Ruse figurine.

Fumiko snatches it up and puts it next to her face. "Wow, look! I look just like
Serpentina!" Well... kind of... sort of... not really. But they both had the same medium-length
brown hair, and the same green eyes. Wait... didn't Serpentina have much longer hair? And weren't
her eyes yellow? Must be a factory mistake, since these are clearly definitely one hundred percent
official.

A thought occurs to Fumiko, as her brow furrows. "Shouldn't I get a cut, since I'm clearly
her? Kidding, kidding, but... I wonder if Serpentina- or any other magical girl - ever licensed
their appearance? I mean... Sailor V did... I hope. Otherwise I'll feel really guilty about loving
her arcade game."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo laughs softly and shakes her head at how silly it would be to see her on a giant shelf. "I'm
sure it would, but you better watch out if you did. I heard Niramo figurines have a great talent for
finding any sweets you have hidden away and not sharing~" Not that she wouldn't share if she had to,
but chocolate always tastes better the more you have of it!

It certainly looks like Fumiko is finding what she's looking for on these off-brand stores. Niramo
did remember that Fumiko did happen to be a big fan of Sourisi back when there was some overeager
fans cosplaying, so maybe she looks up to magical girls in general!

But then Fumiko holds up a Serpentina figurine and compares the two of them together. "Huh? I mean,
with the figurine, yeah! I think I remember Serpentina having yellow eyes though-" Niramo's eyes
widen as she realizes that might be something that might not public knowledge, and quickly scrambles
to try to cover herself. "-I mean, from pictures I seen on the Internet before! You know how hazy
the pictures and videos are, so i'm sure someone photoshopped her with yellow eyes to look more
snake-y, yeah!"

Niramo's imagination gives her the sense that she just heard Takk facepalming from her bookbag.

Thankfully Fumiko already has moved on, and Niramo picks up a figurine of Sourisi with a frown. It
really was nothing like the real deal! There's no tail, and was the figurine using claws instead of
tonfa? Very shameful. "Uh...I don't really think so? I mean, if a magical girl wanted to get money
from her likeness, she would likely have to reveal herself. I think their images are considered
public property because of that." Seems Niramo has looked into this herself. It's a great thing she
could ask these kinds of questions to her detective dad. "The arcade game is great though!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo mentioning that Serpentina had yellow eyes did not raise any red flags for Fumiko...
but the suspicious behavior afterwards did. Fumiko's eyes narrow for a second - but only just a
second. "I don't know... I remember hearing about the yellow eyes thing too. Some even said they
glow. OooOOOoo... spoookyyy..." She waves her hands and fingers in a way that was short-hand for
'how mysterious'. "Maybe she can fire laser beams out of her eyes!"

She then watches Niramo pick up the Sourisi figure and notes her disappointment. "Look...
these aren't exact..." She then inches closer and whispers. "These aren't exactly official. I don't
think they'd get all the details right." Fumiko then raises her voice to normal. "You are clearly
right that the images are probably public domain, so that's all they have to work off of. It isn't
like Serpentina or Sourisi or Sailor Moon go up to a toy company and model for them. And maybe we
are the ones with the wrong idea of what they look like!"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo still feels a little uneasy about her slip, but she didn't happen to catch Fumiko's eyes
narrowing. She does remember Fumiko asking these kinds of questions before, and Fumiko knows that
Niramo's in the magical community. Curse those dodgeballs. "Glowing eyes would be really cool, but
eyes lasers? I can certainly see that coming from a monster, maybe something with like 10 eyes?"
Some monsters were already bad enough without having eye beams!

It's clear that Fumiko knows these aren't exactly the most legit figurines on the market. Niramo
nods and whispers back quietly. "Yeah, there's a lot of things off. I mean, that Sailor Mars
figurine has her with a mace of all things. Totally knockoffs." Speaking a little louder, Niramo
shrugs her shounders under the black coat. "I mean, the only time the real Sailor Moon or the like
come out is often to fight monsters or to help protect people from attacks. I think it'll be pretty
hard to get them to pose for pictures!"

While still being annoyed by how off the Sourisi figurine is, Niramo does still go up to the cashier
standing by an old cash register to buy the figurine. Sure, it's clearly not her, but it's still a
figurine about her alter ego! A few months ago she would never have imagined there being Sourisi
merchandise, and with Serpentina getting her own knock offs, this means they're starting to get
popular with the masses! It feels good to be recognized.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Yeah... eye lasers do seem to be more a 'monster' thing for some reason. Not sure why."
Fumiko shrugs, then lets out a small chuckle. "Heh. Maybe Serpentina IS a monster! Maybe the Mi-
magical girls with the animal themes actually ARE animals transformed into people! What if she's a
giant snake in real life?"

Despite the clear knockoff state of the toys, Fumiko decides to buy hers as well. "Target
acquired," she jokes, placing it in her backpack after paying for it. "Anything else we should
search for, or just go with the flow?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.\

Niramo just shakes her shoulders when Fumiko brings up eye lasers being more of a monster thing. "I
think that's just how often you see heroic people using eye beams? I mean, look at how many people
in video games use swords and are the main characters." Niramo giggles at the thought of Serpentina
fully being a snake person. "Maybe her secret hideout is inside a reptile house at the zoo, hiding
away in plain sight."

Niramo does cheer mentally as she sees Fumiko buying her own knock off figurine. "Glad you found
something you like! I know a few other stores we can check out if you're into collecting these, but
i'm fine with just looking around. I'm sure I can find that console again another day."

Niramo does take the time to offer the black coat back to its' owner though. No way is she going to
hog all the warmth, and what kind of a terrible friend would she be if she tried to keep the jacket
for herself. "Your turn, and thanks for keeping me warm! You're nowhere as cold-blooded as you say,
Fumiko-chan."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko nods sagely at the idea of Serpentina living in the reptile house. "Of course.
Nobody would ever suspect the truth. I think you are on to something. Do you secretly know her
perhaps~?"

Letting that thought linger, Fumiko examines the other statuettes but does not buy any
more. "Hm. I do like collecting these kinds of things, but I think I am up to just heading out to
explore or whatever."

That backpack... Fumiko loves it, but it sure gets in the way. She removes it to eagerly
accept her coat back. "Thank you, and just in time too! I was starting to get a bit chilled. And
thank you Niramo, I'm glad you don't think... me... tooo... cold-bloooded..." She suddenly starts
moving in slow-motion. "Oh no... the cold... I'm going to hibernaaate!" She then bursts into a bit
of a giggling fit, then stops herself, looking away red-faced. "Um... I went a bit overboard there,
sorry! I don't get to be... 'weird' very often, but I feel safe with you. I know you won't judge me,
or make me have to act all 'perfect' and stuff. I'm glad we can be friends."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo feels the cold biting again once she hands over the coat back over to Fumiko, but she knows
she would be a whole lot colder if Fumiko hadn't offered to share with her. She is a little worried
at first once Fumiko started to move slow, but quickly caught on and started laughing along with her
friend. As Fumiko tries to apologize for her, Niramo just waves her off. "Don't ever think you went
overboard, you're just being yourself. That's what friends are for, you know. Making sure we can be
happy and won't judge. Well, i'll judge you a little if you didn't like sushi." This is met with one
last giggle before Niramo nods. "Same here!"

Niramo Umokeshi

2021-02-15T01:25:53Z

Blasktin: Updating the filler artwork of Niramo with original picture.

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 25em; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Niramo Umokeshi'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[File:Niramo and Takk.png|350px|Niramo and Takk, enjoying the fresh air in a park.]]
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Niramo Umokeshi
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Aliases:
| Sourisi, Miraculous Ninja, The Mouse Who Roars
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Gender:
| Female
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age/Birthdate:
| 14 (July 19, 2001)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 4' 10"
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Dark Green
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Astrological Sign:
| Cancer
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Blood Type:
| A
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Favorite Food:
| Tuna Sashimi
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Least Favorite Food:
| Steamed Vegetables
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Favorite Subject:
| Literature
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Least Favorite Subject:
| Social Studies
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Dossier'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Organization:
| [[Magic Association]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Position:
| Experienced Magical Girl
|-
! style="text-align:left" | School:
| [[School: Juuban Public School]] (Grade 9)
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| [[Miraculous Ladybug]] (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[Blasktin]]
|-
|}
== Quote ==
"So that's why I fight. Not for glory, recognition or anything like that. I fight for my dreams - my friends dreams, so that we can all live in a world where we finally gain what we desire...and be proud of the road we traveled to reach it."

== Profile ==
Cheerful and outgoing, Niramo is an idealistic-minded young woman. If she spots a fight between others, she tries to diffuse the situation. Her cheerful view on life helps her find ways to appeal to almost everyone, and she actively seeks out ways to help others in need. Being a native of Tokyo, Niramo loves the busy streets of Tokyo, but she always finds pleasure in finding unique things off the beaten roads. She's been in the Juuban school system her entire life, and enjoys cooking treats to share with her classmates. While she's using her Miraculous, she takes on the name of Sourisi and uses a pair of tonfa to fight. Her courage goes to the forefront, and she jumps in without a thought when innocents are in danger. In battle, she does have a tendency to focus too much on either full-out assaulting dark forces or not bother thinking up a plan, but it usually works out for her. Niramo just wants what's best for everyone, even if it means she has to sacrifice something for herself to do it.

== Relationships ==
'''Family:'''

'''Isozaki Umokeshi:''' Niramo's father who works long hours every day to provide for his family. While their schedules make it hard for the two to truly spend time with one another, they love and support each other. His job as a police detective means he's on call almost every day of the week, so he's not around often. He has been a major influence on Niramo's life despite the little time they spend with one another these days, and is where she gets her sense of justice. Despite how little he spends time with his only daughter, the bond between the two is still as strong as ever and he is protective of his little girl.

'''Ushioda Umokeshi:''' Niramo's mother, who runs her own cake and catering business. She started to teach Niramo how to cook from a young age, and is often the one there to give Niramo support and advice. She's worried about Isozaki, and the stress that he's going through to provide for their family. It is from her that Niramo has learned to stay positive, no matter the situation. Despite the long hours she works managing her catering service, she is home often enough to have a meal with Niramo.

'''Takk:''' The Kwami bonded to the Mouse Miraculous with the appearence of a 10-cm floating mouse. Takk prefers to think logically, dismantling and reassembling human technology to see how it functions and has even tutored Niramo with her homework when needed. Though they have only just met, Takk and Niramo are bonding well with one another, enough that she has already figured out Takk only acts like he has no emotions. He's constantly with Niramo, staying out of sight by riding in her bookbag and keeping an ear out for any trouble. Niramo has grown very close to Takk after all this time working together, and she honestly can't see how life would be without the cheeky mouse. She does wish that he wouldn't be such a couch potato, as the concept of television has been a guilty pleasure of the Kwami.

'''Team:'''

[[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]]: The mystery of who Ladybug is simply that, a mystery to Niramo, but it's one that is starting to wear on her. Her quick thinking and great advice marks her out as a natural leader, and one that Niramo will look forward to working with. Niramo is finally starting to spend more time with the excitable girl and considers her a friend as well!

[[Adrien Agreste]]: Niramo is only aware of Adrien's name due to Yuhira and her focus on all things fashion, and hasn't realized that he's in Juuban. Chat Noir, however, certainly has made an impression on Sourisi, with his grace, like of puns and his rather impressive destruction of an entire pirate ship. The fact he hasn't made any terrible jokes about her height helps matters too! Adrien Agreste is a mystery Niramo's not too sure if she should take the time to learn about more, only because she's intimidated by his background.

[[Fumiko Inoue]]: The prankster and disruptive girl's first meeting with Niramo ended up with Fumiko actually managed to get under her skin and getting a chewing out, so it can be surprising to some that the two of them are pretty close these days! Fumiko is making efforts to turn over a new leaf and Niramo sees someone who needs a true friend. The problem is that the both of them know there's something magical about the other, which can leave an elephant in the room. Serpentina Ruse is a lot of fun to be around with and someone that Sourisi trusts deeply, yet a part of her doesn't want to reveal her secret identity just yet...

'''Friends:'''

[[Kasagami Araki]]: The grief that Kasagami has after her loss against the mysterious pink-haired Duelist is deep, and makes Niramo wonders just what exactly is the story behind those scars she bears. Despite the hardships and setbacks, Kasagami still holds her head up high and is a great example to never give up on your dreams. Despite being from different schools, Niramo is quite proud to call the Crimson Duelist her senpai. Maybe that's just encouraging the attempts to have her transfer to Ohtori...

[[Endo Naoki]]: The two met in a park after school, and she considers the high schooler a kind and friendly upperclassman. It was up in the air on if they would know each other just in passing, but after the Device User and Miraculous User found out about the other's magical habits, they grew much closer and Niramo considers Endo a good friend.

[[Ye-jin Song]]: Not exactly a friend persay, but the Ohtori dance club president is giving Niramo lessons in how to dance. She has a very rough exterior to others that is classic for most students at Ohtori, but Niramo senses traces of a good person in those depths and wants to bring them forth. This only becomes more apparent after she started to receive lessons on how to dance from the Ohtori Dance Captain herself in one-on-one sessions. While she can be strict, she's also fair and knows how to encourage talent in others. There's just something about students from Ohtori that seem so inspiring.

[[Fuu Hououji]]: Fuu has a lot of similar interests to Niramo when it comes to books and video games, and she always seems so calm and collected. Perhaps it has something to do with her natural talent with archery? While not exactly sure of what Fuu thinks of her, Niramo considers Fuu a good friend and wants to know her better. Then there's also the case that she may have be a magical girl as well, if that mysterious glove she had is any indication.

[[Steven Universe]]: Such a brave young man that can do such amazing things, even before his incredible shield comes into play. It's hard to ruin whatever good mood Steven might have, and you can always depend of him being there in the thick of things. The half-Gem boy is a friend she's willing to help at the drop both in and out of the mask, and his cheerful attitude about life is very contagious whenever he's around.

[[Amethyst]]: The purple Gem is pretty free and relaxed, not going to let anyone bother to tell her what to do or how to live her life. When it comes down to it, however, you can count of Amethyst to be there with whip in hand and ready to thrash any youma or outer space Gem.

[[Setsuna Meioh]]: The Senshi of Time and a magical girl that shows just how experienced she is with each move she makes. She appears to be quite the close friend with Kasagami, which makes Niramo wonders how the two met. While Niramo tries not to bother Setsuna too much, since she feels the older girl has important matters to handle, she considers herself honored to know such an impressive woman.

[[Usagi Tsukino]]: While they have only met while transformed, Niramo is very impressed with the older Magical Girl. Her spirit during a mission, being a natural leader during a crisis, and helping friends and newcomers alike with personal issues, Niramo feels Sailor Moon is who she should inspire to become. Niramo also considers Sailor Moon her Magical Girl senpai, and can't wait to work with her again.

[[Shigure Shiratsuyu]]: The Maiden of Solais seems to have a rough life at home, but she will likely explain why in due time. In the mean time, all Niramo can do for her best friend is be there for her whenever she needs support, both in life and on the magical battlefield, for it's only when Shigure is with her that she feels the most comfortable with herself. Through thick and thin, she wants to help Shigure grow to be the best that she possibly can. Takk seems to approve of her too, being the only one he doesn't immediately scold Niramo for revealing the secret identity of Sourisi.

'''Yuhira Ena:''' Niramo's friend since she lived in the Minato district, they stay in touch with one another and try to meet each other for shopping trips. She's always keeping up with what new trends are on the streets of Shibuya, and makes sure that Niramo and Wakatsuki are well-prepared. She has a graceful hand with fabrics, and wants to become a fashion designer when she's older. She's also the tallest of the three girls, which annoys Niramo to no end, with vibrant green hair that reaches her waist in a wave. A problem with Yuhira is that she somehow managed to see past Sourisi's mask for a moment, and while there hasn't been any overt efforts to get Sourisi unmasked, Niramo is certain Yuhira is planning something.

'''Wakatsuki Makiko:''' A somewhat reserved girl Niramo got to open up at Juuban, she's a year younger than Niramo yet in the same grade due to her high grades. A fountain of knowledge when it comes to technology, it took some prodding from Niramo before Wakatsuki finally joined the Science Club. Shy and reserved, Niramo made sure to introduce her to Yuhira, and three have become friends since then. She already has been looking for universities to apply for once she is old enough, and has even made her own computer out of worn out hardware. She's the second tallest, and her silver hair just reaches her shoulders. Wakatsuki has been assisting Yuhira in her quest to see if there really is a connection between the Miraculous Ninja and her friend Niramo, but the search for the truth is staying elusive.

'''Met:'''

[[Lera Camry]]: Having met her while on some club business, the exchange student always seems so bright and cheerful. Niramo hasn't had any luck finding any information on the hover cars the Americans are suppose to have now, however.

[[Yumi Ohzara]]: The Witch of Lost Ivy reminds Niramo of Wakatsuki, due to the shy personality that she has. Perhaps a friendship could bloom if Niramo focused on talking with Yumi more...

== Logs ==
{{#dpl: |category = logs
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = cutscenes
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 1
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

== Cutscenes ==
{{#dpl: |category = cutscenes
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = logs
|ordermethod = title
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|noresultsheader=There are no cutscenes on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
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[[Category:Characters|Magic Association|Juuban Public School|]]

File:Niramo and Takk.png

2021-02-15T01:24:33Z

Blasktin: A picture commissioned of Niramo Umokeshi and the Kwami, Takk.

A picture commissioned of Niramo Umokeshi and the Kwami, Takk.

Niramo Umokeshi

2020-09-27T01:02:00Z

Blasktin:

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 25em; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Niramo Umokeshi'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[File:Niramo.jpg|425px|Niramo looking at a miniature snowman.]]
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Niramo Umokeshi
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Aliases:
| Sourisi, Miraculous Ninja, The Mouse Who Roars
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Gender:
| Female
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age/Birthdate:
| 14 (July 19, 2001)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 4' 10"
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Dark Green
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Astrological Sign:
| Cancer
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Blood Type:
| A
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Favorite Food:
| Tuna Sashimi
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Least Favorite Food:
| Steamed Vegetables
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Favorite Subject:
| Literature
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Least Favorite Subject:
| Social Studies
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Dossier'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Organization:
| [[Magic Association]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Position:
| Experienced Magical Girl
|-
! style="text-align:left" | School:
| [[School: Juuban Public School]] (Grade 9)
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| [[Miraculous Ladybug]] (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[Blasktin]]
|-
|}
== Quote ==
"So that's why I fight. Not for glory, recognition or anything like that. I fight for my dreams - my friends dreams, so that we can all live in a world where we finally gain what we desire...and be proud of the road we traveled to reach it."

== Profile ==
Cheerful and outgoing, Niramo is an idealistic-minded young woman. If she spots a fight between others, she tries to diffuse the situation. Her cheerful view on life helps her find ways to appeal to almost everyone, and she actively seeks out ways to help others in need. Being a native of Tokyo, Niramo loves the busy streets of Tokyo, but she always finds pleasure in finding unique things off the beaten roads. She's been in the Juuban school system her entire life, and enjoys cooking treats to share with her classmates. While she's using her Miraculous, she takes on the name of Sourisi and uses a pair of tonfa to fight. Her courage goes to the forefront, and she jumps in without a thought when innocents are in danger. In battle, she does have a tendency to focus too much on either full-out assaulting dark forces or not bother thinking up a plan, but it usually works out for her. Niramo just wants what's best for everyone, even if it means she has to sacrifice something for herself to do it.

== Relationships ==
'''Family:'''

'''Isozaki Umokeshi:''' Niramo's father who works long hours every day to provide for his family. While their schedules make it hard for the two to truly spend time with one another, they love and support each other. His job as a police detective means he's on call almost every day of the week, so he's not around often. He has been a major influence on Niramo's life despite the little time they spend with one another these days, and is where she gets her sense of justice. Despite how little he spends time with his only daughter, the bond between the two is still as strong as ever and he is protective of his little girl.

'''Ushioda Umokeshi:''' Niramo's mother, who runs her own cake and catering business. She started to teach Niramo how to cook from a young age, and is often the one there to give Niramo support and advice. She's worried about Isozaki, and the stress that he's going through to provide for their family. It is from her that Niramo has learned to stay positive, no matter the situation. Despite the long hours she works managing her catering service, she is home often enough to have a meal with Niramo.

'''Takk:''' The Kwami bonded to the Mouse Miraculous with the appearence of a 10-cm floating mouse. Takk prefers to think logically, dismantling and reassembling human technology to see how it functions and has even tutored Niramo with her homework when needed. Though they have only just met, Takk and Niramo are bonding well with one another, enough that she has already figured out Takk only acts like he has no emotions. He's constantly with Niramo, staying out of sight by riding in her bookbag and keeping an ear out for any trouble. Niramo has grown very close to Takk after all this time working together, and she honestly can't see how life would be without the cheeky mouse. She does wish that he wouldn't be such a couch potato, as the concept of television has been a guilty pleasure of the Kwami.

'''Team:'''

[[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]]: The mystery of who Ladybug is simply that, a mystery to Niramo, but it's one that is starting to wear on her. Her quick thinking and great advice marks her out as a natural leader, and one that Niramo will look forward to working with. Niramo is finally starting to spend more time with the excitable girl and considers her a friend as well!

[[Adrien Agreste]]: Niramo is only aware of Adrien's name due to Yuhira and her focus on all things fashion, and hasn't realized that he's in Juuban. Chat Noir, however, certainly has made an impression on Sourisi, with his grace, like of puns and his rather impressive destruction of an entire pirate ship. The fact he hasn't made any terrible jokes about her height helps matters too! Adrien Agreste is a mystery Niramo's not too sure if she should take the time to learn about more, only because she's intimidated by his background.

[[Fumiko Inoue]]: The prankster and disruptive girl's first meeting with Niramo ended up with Fumiko actually managed to get under her skin and getting a chewing out, so it can be surprising to some that the two of them are pretty close these days! Fumiko is making efforts to turn over a new leaf and Niramo sees someone who needs a true friend. The problem is that the both of them know there's something magical about the other, which can leave an elephant in the room. Serpentina Ruse is a lot of fun to be around with and someone that Sourisi trusts deeply, yet a part of her doesn't want to reveal her secret identity just yet...

'''Friends:'''

[[Kasagami Araki]]: The grief that Kasagami has after her loss against the mysterious pink-haired Duelist is deep, and makes Niramo wonders just what exactly is the story behind those scars she bears. Despite the hardships and setbacks, Kasagami still holds her head up high and is a great example to never give up on your dreams. Despite being from different schools, Niramo is quite proud to call the Crimson Duelist her senpai. Maybe that's just encouraging the attempts to have her transfer to Ohtori...

[[Endo Naoki]]: The two met in a park after school, and she considers the high schooler a kind and friendly upperclassman. It was up in the air on if they would know each other just in passing, but after the Device User and Miraculous User found out about the other's magical habits, they grew much closer and Niramo considers Endo a good friend.

[[Ye-jin Song]]: Not exactly a friend persay, but the Ohtori dance club president is giving Niramo lessons in how to dance. She has a very rough exterior to others that is classic for most students at Ohtori, but Niramo senses traces of a good person in those depths and wants to bring them forth. This only becomes more apparent after she started to receive lessons on how to dance from the Ohtori Dance Captain herself in one-on-one sessions. While she can be strict, she's also fair and knows how to encourage talent in others. There's just something about students from Ohtori that seem so inspiring.

[[Fuu Hououji]]: Fuu has a lot of similar interests to Niramo when it comes to books and video games, and she always seems so calm and collected. Perhaps it has something to do with her natural talent with archery? While not exactly sure of what Fuu thinks of her, Niramo considers Fuu a good friend and wants to know her better. Then there's also the case that she may have be a magical girl as well, if that mysterious glove she had is any indication.

[[Steven Universe]]: Such a brave young man that can do such amazing things, even before his incredible shield comes into play. It's hard to ruin whatever good mood Steven might have, and you can always depend of him being there in the thick of things. The half-Gem boy is a friend she's willing to help at the drop both in and out of the mask, and his cheerful attitude about life is very contagious whenever he's around.

[[Amethyst]]: The purple Gem is pretty free and relaxed, not going to let anyone bother to tell her what to do or how to live her life. When it comes down to it, however, you can count of Amethyst to be there with whip in hand and ready to thrash any youma or outer space Gem.

[[Setsuna Meioh]]: The Senshi of Time and a magical girl that shows just how experienced she is with each move she makes. She appears to be quite the close friend with Kasagami, which makes Niramo wonders how the two met. While Niramo tries not to bother Setsuna too much, since she feels the older girl has important matters to handle, she considers herself honored to know such an impressive woman.

[[Usagi Tsukino]]: While they have only met while transformed, Niramo is very impressed with the older Magical Girl. Her spirit during a mission, being a natural leader during a crisis, and helping friends and newcomers alike with personal issues, Niramo feels Sailor Moon is who she should inspire to become. Niramo also considers Sailor Moon her Magical Girl senpai, and can't wait to work with her again.

[[Shigure Shiratsuyu]]: The Maiden of Solais seems to have a rough life at home, but she will likely explain why in due time. In the mean time, all Niramo can do for her best friend is be there for her whenever she needs support, both in life and on the magical battlefield, for it's only when Shigure is with her that she feels the most comfortable with herself. Through thick and thin, she wants to help Shigure grow to be the best that she possibly can. Takk seems to approve of her too, being the only one he doesn't immediately scold Niramo for revealing the secret identity of Sourisi.

'''Yuhira Ena:''' Niramo's friend since she lived in the Minato district, they stay in touch with one another and try to meet each other for shopping trips. She's always keeping up with what new trends are on the streets of Shibuya, and makes sure that Niramo and Wakatsuki are well-prepared. She has a graceful hand with fabrics, and wants to become a fashion designer when she's older. She's also the tallest of the three girls, which annoys Niramo to no end, with vibrant green hair that reaches her waist in a wave. A problem with Yuhira is that she somehow managed to see past Sourisi's mask for a moment, and while there hasn't been any overt efforts to get Sourisi unmasked, Niramo is certain Yuhira is planning something.

'''Wakatsuki Makiko:''' A somewhat reserved girl Niramo got to open up at Juuban, she's a year younger than Niramo yet in the same grade due to her high grades. A fountain of knowledge when it comes to technology, it took some prodding from Niramo before Wakatsuki finally joined the Science Club. Shy and reserved, Niramo made sure to introduce her to Yuhira, and three have become friends since then. She already has been looking for universities to apply for once she is old enough, and has even made her own computer out of worn out hardware. She's the second tallest, and her silver hair just reaches her shoulders. Wakatsuki has been assisting Yuhira in her quest to see if there really is a connection between the Miraculous Ninja and her friend Niramo, but the search for the truth is staying elusive.

'''Met:'''

[[Lera Camry]]: Having met her while on some club business, the exchange student always seems so bright and cheerful. Niramo hasn't had any luck finding any information on the hover cars the Americans are suppose to have now, however.

[[Yumi Ohzara]]: The Witch of Lost Ivy reminds Niramo of Wakatsuki, due to the shy personality that she has. Perhaps a friendship could bloom if Niramo focused on talking with Yumi more...

== Logs ==
{{#dpl: |category = logs
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = cutscenes
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 1
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

== Cutscenes ==
{{#dpl: |category = cutscenes
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = logs
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 1
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no cutscenes on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

[[Category:Characters|Magic Association|Juuban Public School|]]

2020-07-16 - Cue The Training Montage!

2020-08-08T01:01:56Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Cue The Training Montage!'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Sourisi invites her fellow Miraculous Hero Serpentina Ruse out to practice their powers and to figure out what the other can do. It's not just their skills that become stronger from doing so.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Abandonded Shopping Complex
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
7/16/2020 - 9/13/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Shitamachi Low City +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The traditions that the Shitamachi cultural region keeps alive were ancient
long before the Shogun turned the fishing town of Edo into Tokyo, "Eastern
Capital." The area has evolved greatly since then, but though Shitamachi is
a highly modernized metropolis, its traditions somehow coexist with bullet
trains, research universities, and electronics markets. The occasional
person in kimono and sandals will wait at the crossing alongside salarymen
in business suits. Compared to Yamanote, there are more bicycles, family
businesses, and food carts, and fewer scooters, corporations, and
convenience stores. Certain wards in Shitamachi can be just as dense and
urbanized as anything in Yamanote, but there's a tendency toward low-rise
apartment complexes in the residential areas, and office buildings rather
than office towers in the commercial.

The distinction between Shitamachi and Yamanote is messy, both
geographically and demographically, but significant enough that it remains
the most significant cultural divide in Tokyo. Shitamachi people, as a
whole, take themselves less seriously, and have a stronger sense of
community that feeds upon their active street culture of markets, shops, and
festivals. They may not be fashionable, but they are /fun/. The Juuban
public schools, undistinguished but in some ways better off for it,
exemplify this plebeian joie de vivre quite well. The Shitamachi dialect is
less distinct than it used to be, but it is still a force to be reckoned
with, with a broader, less refined, and more energetic sound to it than
standard Japanese.

COMBAT: Niramo Umokeshi transforms into Sourisi!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue transforms into Serpentina Ruse!

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The need to keep a secret identity...well, secret from your fellow Miraculous Users can make meet
ups a little more difficult to plan out. No chance to ask if Serpentina is free over the phone or
through messages with a chat application. Even letters are out of the question, though it seems like
a really bad idea to leave out plans anyone can read in a mailbox. That only left requests whenever
Sourisi chances upon Serpentina Ruse in passing or after battles together. It's more an idea than
any actual plan of joint training that Sourisi asks of her friend, but it's something!

It's only after they parted that she realized she need materials if she wants to set this off right.

So a hour before Serpentina was asked to arrive, Sourisi could have been seeing bringing in a large
bundle of 'training supplies', wrapped up in cardboard and clinking with each movement, into an
abandonded shopping complex on the outskirts of Shitamachi. It wouldn't be as spacious as her normal
practicing spots, but maybe a little more secrecy could be found here.

Slapping her hands in satisifaction and to get rid of imaginary dust, Sourisi steps back from her
final preperations and take a look at her handiwork. Empty glass bottles were set up on barren
counters, rusting clothing racks and on top of dusty metal shelves. In one corner, some shelving has
been dismantled and reassembled into a precarious jungle gym held together with willpower and duct
tape. And along one wall was a fascimile of a military tank made out of cardboard taped onto a metal
half-wall, complete with a caricature of a yelling man poking his head out of the top hatch and
drawn with an inexperienced hand and colored markers.

Even if it was rather shoddily done, Sourisi nods her head in satisifaction at all her hard labor
brought to fruition. The only light source was whatever Tokyo provided with the other businesses
nearby coming through shattered windows, but Sourisi felt this might help hide some of the flaws of
her efforts. "There we go, hopefully she'll be surprised when she comes in and see it all!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It has been quite a wild ride for Serpentina Ruse. Many ups and downs - and lately, the
downs have felt more significant than the ups, even if the severity was just in her head. It was
capped with depression that her friend and partner in anti-'magical crime' Sourisi has helped snap
her out of. Despite her help, unfortunately, lingering worries about not being good enough still
remain. More fortunately, however, she is channeling them into a different form- she is not good
enough YET.

This is why Serpentina jumps at the chance to train with Sourisi. Together they can improve
each other! Sure, she feels Sourisi is almost perfect the way she is, but everyone can use
improvement! But what form of training are they going to do? Sparring? Sounds a bit rough. Target
practice? What would the targets be, and could they avoid collateral damage? Maybe... butterfly
catching?

It was time to find out. Serpentina tries running like a ninja, fast but quiet (and no, she
didn't put her arms behind her while leaning forward). Finally she arrives in the appointed spot -
an abandoned shopping complex. Maybe... maybe it would have something to do with zombies! Nah..."

Then she spots the zombie. Oh no! Wait... that was just a man in a tank... sort of. "Oh,
hello Mister Mayor," she jokes. "It is nice seeing you again. You are looking as cardboardy as ever,
sir. Though you might want to see a doctor about your skin condition." She then shouts out, "Hey
Squeaks, did you do this to the Mayor?"

However, the tank man, and all the other training stuff, was rather impressive for a spur
-of-the-moment thing. "This is pretty cool, actually. Sorry about the teasing about the Akuma build,
the craftsmanship is...not bad... for the time you've had to build it all and all the stuff you had
to... set up."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

As she waits for Serpentina Ruse to show up, Sourisi is starting to wish she had a way to keep track
of time while she's using her Miraculous. Anything she had on hand disappears while she's
transformed, so no watch or cell phone. Sure, she couldn't always untransforming real quick, but
what if Serpentina shows up right then and there? Knowing her luck, that's exactly what would happen
and she would be in for a lecture of a lifetime from Takk if she did!

Sourisi jumps in shock as Serpentina speaks up to greed the mighty visage of the MEGA-MAYOR, causing
her to let out a nervous giggle. "Heheheh, nope, nothing to do with me! Honestly, this is why you
shouldn't worry about everything so much, mister Mayor. What will the voters think?"

The praise over her spontanous dojo gear gathering is appricated but Sourisi shakes her head, her
braid moving like a whip for a moment. "I-I would say thing I did this all up in the moment, but
really, this is all stuff I built up over time. Well, the Major is new, but I just had to carry
everything where I keep it all stashed and bring it here! Though...finding scissors strong enough to
cut cardboard was the hardest part."

Serpentina seems to take all the preperations all in stride, and the anxious weight in Sourisi's gut
starts to lessen up. "I usually train on my own, so having someone to practice with would be nice,
actually." She motions towards the bottles glinting in the artificial lighting and then the jungle
gym with one hand, then towards the cardboard MEGA-MAYOR with the other. "I usually use the bottles
as target practice, and the obstical course over there I threw together for practicing running and
jumping. And our kind Mayor is offering his services as a practice dummy for attacking as well!"

Sourisi then rubs at the back of her neck with a gloved hand in nervousness, with her left hand
tapping on top of one of her tonfa with an exaggerated motion. "Aaand, well, we could always try
fighting one another? N-not that I mean we should go all out but more as a spar! I seen a Kendo Club
do it a few times, so it could work as well! I'm good with whatever you wish to try out for,
Slithery."

Mentally, the Miraculous User is berating herself on showing her nerves. 'How does Kasagami make
this look so easy?!'

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpentina smiles at Sourisi's double reaction of shock and playing along. But then her
smile sinks a bit at Sourisi's explanation of everything. "You... train with this stuff a lot?"
Serpentina tilts her head, her long, ribboned braid falling to one side. "I... hardly ever have
trained. The only person I could train with and knows about this Miraculous stuff... well, they
don't one hundred percent exist when I'm Serpentina, you know. I've been more on-the-fly, on-the-job
experience. Explains a lot, really..."

Serpentina then perks up. "But this is a great setup you have here! Thanks for sharing it
with me, I really am honored! But are you sure the Mayor can withstand any of our moves? We are
pretty amazing."

Serpentina looks just as nervous as Sourisi at the mention of sparring. "I am not.. um...
not exactly sure about that. I don't want either of us to hurt the other. I mean, we could go easy
and figure out how to both be careful and figure out how it would improve our skills if we aren't
going all out. Although..." She giggles and looks at nothing in particular as if daydreaming.
"Yeah... next time we find more training partners... o-oh, sorry, just had a funny idea.
Aaanyways... what do I really need to work on to get better...?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi waves a hand back and forth a little in the air as an answer. "Kinda? Takk-san says I don't
need to practice at all, that the magic of the Miraculous helps to guide my attacks, but I feel like
it's a bad idea just to leave it to magic. It's building muscle memory!...though I still haven't
figured out how my tonfa return back to me all the time." Really, throwing her weapons like
boomerangs shouldn't work as well as it does!

The concerns for the MEGA-MAYOR gets a more relaxed laugh our of Sourisi and she nods. "Yep! He's
nowhere near as durable as the original, but that just means I can always make another practice
dummy later. He kept hiding in the tank so much so I thought this could work off a little fustration
too!"

The cardboard copy of the Mayor that Sourisi made did have a curly mustache the original didn't
have...

Thankfully, she's not the only one who doesn't realish the thought of fighting one another. It was
one thing when Endo, Lancelot and Mami were crazed cop versions of themselves. Sourisi's morals
shudder at the thought of intentionally causing harm to another person, even in practice. The
faraway look Serpentina has garners a tilted head as Sourisi tries to figure out what that idea was.
"I don't mind funny ideas! I just don't know if we'll ever have anyone else interested in
training..."

The last question from the scaly Miraculous User has Sourisi motioning towards the bottles through
the store. "Honestly? I'm curious how good you are with attacking anything from afar! I'm kinda
sorta a one trick pony when it comes to hitting anything not right next to me, but I thought I saw
you fire off some wind with your umbrella. Ooh, and any other tricks you can do as well, like I can
make a chain using my tail."

Sourisi snaps her fingers as she just remembers something. "Oh yeah, and how you made a copy of
yourself and slipped out of those waist-cuffs? That was really cool! Does it tire out Ressi though?"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Letting the Miraculous do all the work doesn't seem right anyways," Serpentina admits.
"Otherwise, all Serpentina Ruses and all Sourisis would have been the same, yes? I don't like to
think of myself as just a vessel. I need my own flair and skill to set me apart from my figurative
ancestors. That is just my thoughts on the matter, though."

The Mega-Mayor being used to vent frustration... "Hm. That is definitely a good idea. I
still am a tiny bit sore from being blown up by the tank, but Ressi says that is just in my head. It
was a rough experience. Getting to bash his smug head in without actually hurtin anyone seems like
good stress relief."

The two of them may be all that train together? A shame. Serpentina decides to share her
silly ideas. "Training... against each other... that simulates fighting or hit and run techniques
that is MOSTLY non-violent. Where have we most likely have done something like that at our age?" She
pauses, giving Sourisi a chance to answer.

As for training, target practice seems to be on the menu. "Hm. That is a good start. I may
have a few tricks on hitting the targets. I'll see what I can show you."

Sourisi mentions the technique Serpentina used to escape the other day. Perhaps she should
explain it. "Yeah... that's... my special ability. Shed Skin. It does in fact tire Ressi out, hence
my kind of panic after using it. Glad I was able to keep my cool as much as I was. It was.. pretty
close." She then goes into Professor Mode. "Shed Skin creates a motionless double of myself while
also allowing me to escape almost any bindings I happen to find myself in. It also allows me to
alter the colors of my costume, perfect for verrry light camouflage while also repairing any damage
done to my costume somehow. I have yet to find a way to alter my costume any further using it, and
the next time I transform my costume is back to normal."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It's not something she usually brings up in any of the other magical defenders of Tokyo but
Serpentina Ruse seems to feel the same way, if maybe for different reasons. Adding her own style to
the attacks she can do is essentially what she's been doing, even if Sourisi never thought of it
that way before. "That...makes sense, actually. I keep forgetting the Miraculous have been around
for ages."

Sourisi has a gentle smile on her face as Serpentina warms up to the idea of fighting the cardboard
cutout of the dummy. "Anyone would be after all that. Sure, you destroyed the cannon but it's
nowhere near as good as hitting the Akuma Mayor too. I was really worried after I told you to rush
in and then no one ran in to help..." This last part was said with a hushed tone, as if she was
afraid of bring up those memories.

It may seem like a silly idea but Sourisi starts to rub at her chin as she mulls it over. "Maybe
like a game of magical paintball? Laser tag could also work, but...ooh. Akihabara might have a
place, and there's always cosplayers down there. Maybe we could pass ourselves off as some?
It...seems kinda silly, but it might work!" But wouldn't being transformed give them an advantage
over anyone who couldn't draw on magic? It's food for thought...

Sourisi is starting to wish she could write something down as Professor Serpentina gives her lecture
to a classroom of one. "That sounds pretty handy, really! My own special ability is called Shift
Flip, though it's more of a situational skill. I can change places with a person or object that I
can see by focusing on them, but it has to be something I can see clearly. I can't just trade places
with you if you were on the horizon, for example. It can't be something a lot bigger than me as
well. I should be able to switch with a shelf here, but the whole building is out of the question.
I've only done it twice so far, and both times was to get someone out of danger...but kinda puts me
in the middle of it myself."

Sure, she's been hurt pretty badly both times she's done it, but it helped save others from that
same pain she felt. Totally worth it in her book.

"You can be pretty sneaky, huh? But I think the time for talk is over, it's time to smash!"
Littering isn't really heroic, but a few broken bottles here and there won't be too noticed in a
place like this!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

When Sourisi mentions that she forgot about the Miraculous being ancient, Serpentina smiles
mischievously. "That's right," she says mysteriously. "The Miraculous and its users go way back.
Some of my... predecessors have been mistaken for - or been the cause of - many mythological
figures. Modern day fiction tends to call them lamias, nagas, Chi..."

Her brow furrows in frustration. "Chihu... Kihu... Cihuacoat... snake goddess of the
Americas." She sighs and shakes her head. "Well... guess I'm not a supergenius, and I blew that
presentation. But beware... this shows that the Snake Miraculous User can be quite monstrous~"

Serpentina agrees with her friend until she hears the near-whisper. The snake-themed
superheroine scowls, looking almost angry. However, it was not because of painful memories, or her
believing her friend messed up. "Look. Don't. Don't you dare. You told me to do that, but I'm the
one who agreed, and I would've done it anyways. My pain was not your fault. So don't you even THINK
about thinking about it!" She then reverses her angry expression and softly smiles. "Got it~? We got
more fun things to think about anyways!"

For a less serious talk, paintball and laser tag. "Yes, exactly!" A wide, excited grin
overtakes Serpentina's face as she gently shakes her closed fists with enthusiasm. "In a more
general sense, games and play! Paintball, tag, dodgeball, laser tag, all of it! Taken to the next
level~ Faster than the lasers or paint ball, strong and skilled enough to send a dodgeball bouncing
a hundred times before hitting someone, using magic to do all kinds of crazy stunts!"

Shift Flip has Serpentina intrigued. "So many applications for that move. Saving someone,
keeping an item away from the bad guy and suddenly hitting them when you weren't near them but the
object was, getting someone else tagged or hit with a dodgeball instead of you... oh, sorry, got
back to my silly thought again. Oh, maybe y-" She then pauses, blushing and facepalming. "I almost
asked you something stupid, sorry. I would've liked to ask you to demonstrate that ability for me,
but... I know how the timer works and I'm not trying to trick you into revealing who you really are.
Or...who you are when you aren't who you really are, depending on what Sourisi is to you."

But enough talk, have at you! Serpentina stares down the bottle display. "Okay... watch
closely. When I open my parasol like this-" She thrusts it forward and it suddenly opens - "Did you
see that? That little split second moment when it opened? There was a little bit of magic going
through it. That's how... tank.... boom... thing." She winces slightly, then shakes her head.
"Now... watch this!" She focuses a little more, and the parasol goes whoosh as it turns inside out
with incredible speed, launching the bottle targets a good distance with a sudden, powerful burst of
air. "How's that?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The mention of ancient legends would have normally caused her eyes to start to glaze over from
boredom, a fate prevented due to it being the Miraculous that's the subject of those legends. While
Serpentina might have fumbled her presentation to a class of one at the end, it's food for thought
for the Miraculous User. "Huh, I've never tried seeing what legends there is of the Miraculous
before, but i'm going have to ask Takk about it later. I never really bothered to look into his
history or what kind of stories he has to tell."

Sourisi's self-loathing is smothered by Serpentina's almost irate scolding, shocking the shorter
girl. "You're sure? I could have done things differently back then but...yeah, you're right. You
can't change the past, we just have to focus on what's ahead." Besides, they came here for training,
not bemoaning over what should have happened!

Serpentina seems to all for the plan to take Akihabara by storm! It seems like a silly idea, but as
long as they don't have to show ID when they go for 'training'... "Maybe we can see if we can have a
few others show up for this as well? Even if it's not all we make it out to be, it'll be a lot of
fun to see if anyone's interested in some laser tag." Sourisi can't even remember the last time she
went out for laser tag like this.

With how much Serpentina talked about dodgeball, it brings back memories of Niramo hiding out in a
classroom kitchen and fending off waves of frantic students. "You'll be surprised what a dodgeball
can do even without magic."

It was the last way that her fellow Miraculous User talked about using Shift Flip before the
dodgeball tangent that has Sourisi looking surprised before she taps a finger on one of her tonfa.
"You know, I never thought about doing that before, doing a fake-out attack like that. I wonder..."

Sourisi smiles and waves a hand to wave off Serpentina's concerns. "Didn't even think about that,
Slithery, but you're fine. I'll tell you what, when we are done here i'll show you Shift Flip in
action!" But...what did Serpentina mean by her not being who she? Did she really act that different
when she was wearing her mask?

Dark green eyes focuses upon the parasol as Serpentina starts to show it off. While she can't see
the invisible magical force going through it, she nods in understanding. "So, like a shield, right?"
The second way she opens her umbrella would make Sourisi think it was destined for scrap if it
wasn't reinforced with magic! The bottle she was targetting goes flying across the empty store,
shattering as it hits a wall, with several more close bottles being sent tumbling from the wind.
"Ooh, very nice! Maybe...I don't know, if there's some arrows or magic blasts coming your way, maybe
you can deflect them with the wind?"

Sourisi finally pulls one of her tonfa free from a clasp and twirls it idly. "Your parasol can be a
tricky weapon, which makes a lot of sense for you! I'm...kinda as blunt as my tonfas, honestly.
Direct attacks are what i'm best at. Like so!" Sourisi throws out her tonfa towards a bottle, the
twirling rosewood insturment shattering the glass bottle easily before turning around in midair and
back towards Sourisi. The mouse girl catches it with a practiced hand. "Aaand before you ask, no, I
have no idea why they return like boomerangs!"

Sourisi was smiling like she's proud of the fact she doesn't know how her own weapons act.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpintina sighs with relief when her friend accepts that the past is the past and that it
isn't worth dwelling on. Besides, the more important conversation takes over quickly. "I'd love to
get people together for laser tag! That would be entertaining, useful, and maybe even informative!
Thanks for the support!" Dodgeball also seems to be an interesting topic. "Oh? Your civilian
identity has had some interesting experiences with dodgeball?"

But the most interesting conversation - at least to Serpentina - was about Sourisi's Shift
Flip. "Yeah... a fake out attack seems like a perfect use! You may not have thought of it because
you tend to not need sneaky moves, due to your skill, experience, and just plain awesomeness... but
someone like me... I'm pretty good at thinking sneaky, unfortunately. Or fortunately?"

And then an offer to show Shift Flip in action? "Thank you Squeaks! That would be great! In
exchange... oh, right, I already have shown you mine." She winks at her mouse-y friend. "Guess we're
even~"

Weapon explaination time: go! Parasol shield? "Yes... like a shield, though timing it right
makes it many times more effective than just using it as a regular shield." Wind wall? "I might be
able to do something against projectiles like that, with practice. Right now though, it isn't super
effective, but it does allow me to push enemies away that get too much in my face." Sourisi's tonfa?
"They suit you well. Not because you are 'as blunt as your tonfas' though. Good striking weapons
with a good surprise, seem straightforward but have more nuance and tricks and skills to them."
Sourisi throws them as boomerangs, proving Serpentina's point. "Yeah, like that! You really are
incredible."

As for another projectile... Serpentina can't think of any. But then she spies a bottle
that rolled to her feet. "Hmm... yesss... hey watch this!" She hits the bottle with her umbrella
like she was playing golf. It would be a pretty incredible shot - good power, enough to hurt pretty
bad if it hit you - if it didn't go wide and barely hits one of the bottles at the edge of a bottle
on the second stand of bottles she was aiming at. "Er... can I try again?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi nods her head a few times as she imagines the general chaos that could happen with so many
magic users playing a game. "Alright, i'm sure I can find a few people to join us. It'll be
different but after everything that's been going on, we can all use a break. And besides, we can get
to know one another more!"

Sourisi almost starts to speak about how she managed to survive until the very end and aided a
friend to take the grand prize of Ohtori's ill-fated ball, but she could almost hear Takk warning
her against it. It still doesn't feel right hiding someone she's working with... "There was this
fake dance at Ohtori that turned into a campus-wide dodgeball free for all. I tried my best, but I
wasn't meant to win." It was the truth, just not all of it. Good enough for her!

Sourisi giggles and gives Slithery a toothy smile as realizes she's being paid back, not offered a
trade. "Yep, we'll be even after this!"

The two Miraculous Users trade notes about the strengths and weaknesses of their unique weaponry.
One of the comments gets a raised eyebrow as Sourisi thinks she detects a little bit of gaming
slang, but it fits what she knows of her friend. The praise of her weaponry causes Sourisi to look
away from Serpentina and tug on the end of her braid in embarrasement. "I'm not all that great,
really! I just try to help everyone and give them support where they need it..."

Serpentina's golfing skills aside, Sourisi is impressed by the shot. "You're pretty good at using
the enviroment to your advantage, huh? You're pretty smart for thinking like that!" Sourisi laughs
softly as the bottle manages to resist the pull of gravity and remains standing before she jogs over
to a counter.

Reaching down, she pulls up a plastic bag that fills the empty room with the sounds of clinking
glass as it moves. She walks back over and sets down another bottle down on the cracked tile and
nods. "Sure, there's unlimited ammo on this target range. You can keep going for the bottles or
mister Mayor over there if you want as well!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"You didn't win?" Serpentina looks incredibly surprised. "Does that mean... there are more
athletic people in the school than you? Who won? That person is probably one of 'us' if you know
what I mean."

Serpentina pats Sourisi gently on the back. "You are all that great. And helping
everyone... not something that every person you'll meet has as a personality trait, to give one of
the world's greatest understatements. You're not only great, you are also good."

Serpentina's golf skills... not as much. Although she manages to smile at the compliments.
"Heh... thanks for trying to make me feel better about that, but I'm not feeling bad about it."
Serpentina gets another shot thanks to Sourisi. "Thank you. I got this, this time." She lines up the
shot, pulls back her swing... and stops. "...no, that's not right." She flips her grip, holding onto
the pointy end of the umbrella, using the handle as the club head. She swings hard... and this time
it hits center mass, scattering the bottles. "Got it! Next... I'll think of what to do to the Mad
Mayor."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It seems like Serpentina really has a lot of faith in her abilities, but a small part of Sourisi
can't help but feel it's somewhat misplaced. There's were tons better at sports than her, that's for
sure. "I mean...maybe they are? I try not to pry into someone's secret identity if I can help it."
Wait, does Serpentina think Fumiko might know how to use magic? Ooh dear, she better not give off
any hints to who it was. She doesn't want to see her friend getting badgered by a Miraculous User!
"I don't think she's one of 'us', anyways. I met her a few times and while I didn't get to see the
very end of the competition, she did pretty good!" Which was still technically true. She had to
blink sometime, right?

Souris feels her face heat up from the constant praise but it's harder to push off this time. She's
seen how a lot of people react to situations every day, but it's true not everyone wants to give
constant aid. "W-well...okay, fine, you're right about that, Slithery. Geeze, you're making me as
red as Ladybug's outfit!" The smile she gives Serpentina is a bit more reserved than what she
usually shows, but it seems more genuine as well.

Sourisi steps back to get out of Slithery's swinging range. The reversed stance to hit the bottle
with the base of her parasol caused the Miraculous Ninja to tilt her head in confusion at first, but
it does the trick! The pyramid of bottles are sent flying everywhere in the room from the critical
hit, with a stray bottle hitting the jungle gym Sourisi had made. It shudders under the impact for a
moment before collapsing in upon itself, causing Sourisi to wince and close an eye from the racket.
"Uh...construction is clearly not my strong suit here."

Sourisi straightens up and looks towards the MEGA-MAYOR cutout still taped to a shelf and gives
Serpentina a thumbs up. "Sure, and don't worry too much about any damage. It doesn't look like
anyone has used this building in a while, and i'll clean up here later! I haven't really done a lot
of practice tonight, but this is a lot more fun in my opinion. Beats smashing bottles on my own!"

After a few seconds, Sourisi snaps her fingers as a thought strikes her. "Oh yeah! Have you thought
about using your Shed Skin like a decoy, since it's so lifelike? Like you could use Shed Skin, hit a
youma with your umbrella in their blindspot then hiding again? They'll attack the fake you and you
can deal a pretty sneaky attack."

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Hm, interesting." Serpentina listens to Sourisi's explanation of how Fumiko - her - wasn't
one of them - her. While she finds this humorous, she maintains a straight face. "I see. I'll leave
her alone then, if I ever find out who you are talking about." She shrugs nonchalantly, 'letting it
go'.

What Serpentina does not let go is the compliments she gives her friend. 'Heheh, you look
good in red," she jokes at her Sourisi's embarrassment. "Really suits you. But... I meant every
word. I..." It was then her turn to look embarrassed, glancing away and awkwardly rubbing her head.
"I'm about to say something corny, so please don't make TOO much fun of me but... I kind of see you
as an inspiration. You are the kind of hero I want to be and let's go back to training now and blow
stuff up okay?"

And the training was going well, too. At least, if destruction was the system of
measurement for training. Complete bottle dispersal, utter devastation of the jungle gym... and yet
the MEGA-MAYOR still stands. "I don't know, he seems to be sturdy enough construction. He seems to
be the last thing we need to break. Sooo... how are we going to do it?"

Ideas go back and forth about the miraculous powers of the Miraculous. "Hm... I usually use
it just for escape. Escape from bindings or escape from enemies, but a strategic attack could be a
useful move. Could get two good hits out of that! Not a bad idea at all..."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It takes some considerable effort on Sourisi's part to keep calm and collected as Serpentina accepts
her explination, but internally she's wiping away some mental sweat. 'Oh, oh thank goodness. I'm not
sure if Fumiko would want to strangle me or thank me after getting her attention.'

The smaller smile doesn't hide the growing blush under Sourisi's mask, but it's the final bit of
praise that takes her completely off guard. Sourisi is an inspiration to someone...the ideal hero
they aspire to be? She's still looking up to several of the magical defenders of Tokyo every time
they're in a battle, like Sailor Moon, and now she's being a source of creativity? Sourisi's tugs on
the end of her braid as she looks aside, grateful that Serpentia is already moving on ahead. "Uh...t-
thank you, Serpentina. It really means a lot to hear that from someone."

She's just a girl who does her best to protect the city she loves. Is it really that special?

Glancing back at the mess of metal and tape that was an misguided challenge given form, Sourisi
gives a shrug. "Well, he was cut just from cardboard, but...why not try to see if we can pierce
through him in one clean blow? We did it to the barrel last time but maybe practice can make our
combined attacks stronger?" Sourisi twirls a tonfa in her hand, letting the weapon gather speed and
causing the air to start whistling. It only seemed to be going faster as well. "I'll follow your
lead this time, Slithery!"

Sourisi winks and gives a cocky smile towards the other Miraculous User, trying to mirror one of her
own mentors. "We're just helping each other improve, right? Think of it as me paying you back about
how to use my Shift Flip more often!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It was hard for Serpentina to admit looking up to Sourisi, but it felt... good. She finally
got that out there. Having a friend who is also a hero to her... this was an incredibly new
experience. Has she looked up to anyone before? Who has been her inspiration up until now? She has a
lot to think about, but it was still nice to finally admit it to both herself and Sourisi.

Although thinking about it too much is a bit odd... so it is nice to quickly shift gears
back to the training. "Team attack part two?" She stretches, touching her toes on her left boot,
then her right, then overhead left and right stretches. "I think that works!" She picks her umbrella
back up... then slams it point first into the ground while opening it, sending her skyward - or at
least ceilingward. Luckily it was a really high ceiling. "READY?" She points her open parasol at the
tank, readying her assault. At the moment she knows her partner is prepared to attack, she'd give
the signal, and...

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi nods in agreement as Serpentina gets into a ready position, even as she idly makes note of
the full-body stretches the Slitherer Surpreme was doing. Was she an athle-NO! Bad thoughts, no
prying! The springboard motion of the umbrella is a little surprising but Sourisi lets her smile
grow into a full-blown grin as she ponders just how that would be great for future combo attacks.

"READY!...GO!" Sourisi throws the miniture wooden cyclone in her hand towards the MEGA-MAYOR, the
throw a little wild as it zigs and zags as if it was off balance, but the aim is true. It pierces
cleanly through the middle of the cardboard facade and the metal shelf support beyond, with only the
split second of molten metal fragments flying being any indinication. And with Serpentina delivering
the follow-up? The MEGA-MAYOR SURPREME stands no chance!

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpentina was surprised by the 'ready... go!' - she thought it was on HER signal - but she
rolls with it. "NOW!" She shouts in response, twisting her body as she closes her umbrella, gaining
a burst of speed as she rotates faster and faster... and faster... and FASTER... just a flash of a
moment after Sourisi's attack hits, Serpentina's spinning drill-brella of doom attack goes through
the villain like cardboard!

Oh, wait... right... He IS cardboard. Still, such power! Such teamwork! Such destruction of
paper products!

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi kinda jumped the gun - after all, the signal /was/ supposed to be up to Serpentina - but the
joint attack was well executed! The tonfa of the Miraculous Ninja cuts an impressive wake through
the practice dummy, but it's the follow-up assault from the Slitherer Surpreme that finally spells
doom for the water-resistant foe. Serpentina pierces cleanly through the shelf with no effort on her
part, passing through the other side of the shelf. If it wasn't for the gaping hole through the
direct center, an observer might believe the MEGA-MAYOR to be impassively ignoring the grevious
wounds he just took.

Then with a dramatic pause just as Serpentina would come to a rest, both Mayor and Shelf collapse
into a heap.

Sourisi gives a cheer towards her friend at the mass destruction they both just caused and beams
with pride. "Now that's more like it! We'll have to practice some more, but...uh...i'll need to make
a few more targets first."

The abandoned store certainly looks the worse for wear now, the aftermath of their joint training
evident. There's plenty of shattered glass littering most of the floor, and what little shelfing
that still stands would be quivering in fear in capable of animation. "I'll have to come back to
clean up after us, but...I did promise you I would show you."

Picking up a lucky survivor of Serpentina's assault on the bottle targets from the floor, Sourisi
motions towards the remains of what was a window in the distant past. "I'll show you when we go to
leave, and I don't have anything else set up for tonight...um..." The mouse-suitted heroine rubs the
back of her neck for a moment as she thinks. "Oh, got any questions, maybe figure out what we want
to do next time?"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Poor tank mayor. His reign was short but eventful.

"Whew! That was... really something." Serpentina surveys the damage around her with an
awkward, strange smile - a mix between pride, excitement, and 'what the heck did we do to this
place?' - then lets out a single half-giggle. "Are you sure you can clean this up all by yourself?"

It was time for the main event! "I... have nothing I can think of. I think it's time.
But... anything you'd like me to show you in return? Last chance for tonight, whatever it is.
Otherwise... I'm quite interested in seeing what you've got!"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi gives a thumbs up towards Serpentina as she takes what the training session has wrought.
"It's...a lot messier than my normal training, but it's fine. A big push broom and a little bit of
effort, and everything will be back to the normal kind of dilapidation." Now she just need to find a
push broom she can borrow for later...

Even as Serpentina questions what she can show off, Sourisi is already shaking her head.
"That's...kinda why I asked you to come train with me in the first place? I wanted to see how you
fight so I can figure out how I can help out in the future." It was a subtle plan out in the open,
but one for all the right reasons!

Sourisi raises the bottle in her hand to bring attention to the empty glass container. "Alright
then, just keep your eye on the prize!" Rearing her arm back, Sourisi throws the bottle clearly
overhead and into the evening Tokyo sky, the lighting coming from the nearby buildings causing the
bottle to glitter in the night. Sourisi seems to be tracking the bottle with her eyes, following her
own advice, and not moving a muscle. It's only as the bottle starts to arc back down to the ground
does the ravenette speak up. "See you later, Slithery. Shift Flip!"

If Serpentina wasn't fully paying attention, she might miss it as it happens. One moment, the
Miraculous Ninja was standing next to Serpentina, the next, the glass bottle lands with a solid
'thud' on the store floor. In exchance, Sourisi takes a moment to orient herself in midair before
going to land on a nearby rooftop, boots first.

Sourisi waves an exaggerated hand towards the building Serpentina's still in before breaking out
into a run. Despite tonight just being some practice between friends, the masked heroine hasn't had
this much fun in quite a while.

2020-06-28 - Sister Schools or Stealing Schools

2020-07-06T23:13:31Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Sister Schools or Stealing Schools'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''The rash of thievery plaguing the Sister Schools shows no end of stopping and, with several precious items stolen brazenly!''
''Tracking down these thieves, several magical people make their way to Industrial District...''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fate Testarossa]], [[Mikoto Minagi]], [[Fuu Hououji]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]], [[Steven Universe]], GM: [[Fumiko Inoue]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Tokyo - Sister Schools
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
9-8-2015 - 6-28-2020
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Keiyou Industrial District +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Stretching across eight districts, Keiyou Industrial Zone is like a small
city unto itself, consisting primarily of factories, power plants,
warehouses, refineries, and other heavy industry. Boxy, soot-stained
buildings, multi-story chemical tanks, and baroque masses of pipes and
girders dominate the architecture, and a distant clanking or hum can be
heard at all hours of the day throughout most of the district. Cranes,
forklifts, and other heavy equipment are common in this area, as are metal
gratings exhaling steam, dizzying catwalks and ladders, and tall stacks of
shipping crates.

The buildings closest to the bay are often the most presentable, so as to
avoid besmirching its beauty overmuch. The district cannot help but encroach
upon the bay, however, for it is its lifeline, providing thermal power,
naval shipping, and copious quantities of water for industrial purposes.
Keiyo long ago outgrew the land allotted for its uses, and so artificial
islands have been built up to permit its continued expansion.

Since its relatively low potential for civilian casualties (particularly at
night) appeals to magical girls, and its profusion of powerful industrial
machinery appeals to their foes, combat is not infrequent in this area.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

School has barely begun, and things are already going crazy! All three Sister Schools are
getting back into the swing of things, as are their students. Kids that missed each other over the
summer are once again crossing each others' paths. Students and teachers are meeting once more. Club
activities for the Fall are already being planned. Elementary students have flooded the playgrounds.

But it isn't all fun and games. Classwork resumes. Writing, mathematics, science and more
are forcing students to exercise parts of their brains that had all Summer to relax, while their
bodies are being exercised by Phys Ed. Threats of homework loom around every corner. And something
more sinister...

What was once rumor has become fact - prized possessions continue to go missing, or worse -
turn up in the hands, pockets, desks, backpacks, and lockers of their closest friends and worst
rivals. It is still only occasional isolated incidents... or so the 'official' stories go. It is
'being looked into'. However, it will soon be looked into by more capable hands. At the moment
though, these students must deal with the fact that their treasures could go missing at any minute.
But what do they truly treasure?

(OOC) Part 1: These are your Stories

Before you all meet up, now is the opportunity to make a small pose about your school day,
your thoughts on the thefts, and what prized possessions you might take - and have taken - to
school. The last part is optional, if you do not want anything (temporarily) taken from you.

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (5)] has posed.

"P.E. classes are the best when they're held in the pool." Arisa Bannings towels off her hair after
her shower. "I wish it could be like this year round."

"It wouldn't feel the same in the winter though. Even with our indoor pools I doubt you'd feel the
desire to." Suzuka Tsukimura's replies quietly with her own opinion, as she adjusts a hair band.

"I would! Feito-chan, settle this for us. You fine with swimming even if it isn't in season right?"

Fate Testarossa isn't paying attention to the conversation, she's instead in her uniform, her blonde
hair damp drying, as she kneels down and checks under benches.

"Ah - Feito-chan?"

The girl crawls down further, eyeing the shadows and corners of the room. Before she then gets back
up and walks back to the locker. Eventually she says to noone at all, with a tone of numb shock.

"... I can't... find them..."

The hair ribbons she exchanged with Nanoha, that day they became friends. That day she called her
name on the bridge. That pair of white ribbons, her most precious of possessions, symbolic of the
friendship between the two...

...where could they have gone?

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS: Mikoto is, officially, Not Failing All Her Classes Any More. Ohtori
triumphs over delinquency. It's a grand success story. Everyone claps. (Okay, only Midori clapped.)

HERE IS THE BAD NEWS: She's an eleventh-grader, so she /already has more homework./

This is, of course, the biggest thing on Mikoto's mind, at lunch. It is /the greatest
torment/ that she should be expected to do /more work/ after doing /all that work./

She's so busy sinking into her bento that she's not /really/ listening to Chie Harada, one
of Ohtori's foremost rumourmongers and Mai's normal friend who seems to have adopted Mikoto just by
proxy.

That grey-haired girl chats amicably to the girl with longer brown hair on the other side of
the table, Aoi. "... going missing," she's saying, one hand still holding her phone as she gestures.
(The other has her chopsticks, of course. It's lunch. Chie multitasks.) "Everyone's going nuts about
it - you hear about that girl whose earrings ended up in Nanami's locker?"

"E-to..." Aoi interrupts, head tilting.

"I know, but it's not like it's just that! This is really widespread!" Poking her in the
side with her flip phone, Chie points out, "I bet even Mikoto-chan's heard about it!"

"I don't wannaaaa," Mikoto whines, before she shoves another bite of rice in her mouth. At
least /that/ makes her brighten up. Mai's food... is delicious!

"Chin up, Mikoto-chan!" Aoi encourages her, pulling out her own phone. "I saw a really cute
cat the other day - I'll send you the picture now..."

Click, Aoi presses the button on her phone.

...

There's no beep from Mikoto's backpack.

Mikoto's face crinkles in consternation, as she hoists her backpack onto the table and digs
through it. "It's off..?" She wonders, but she's /sure/ she remembered to plug it in last night. On
the table goes all her books - really /way/ too many books, /school is hard/ - but even when she
pulls out her pencil-case and all the other smaller items...

There's no phone, in its cheerful yellow case which could withstand even falling out of
/Mikoto's/ pocket when she's up high.

That phone Yumi gave her, to try and keep her connected to everyone else...

"It's gone!" Mikoto wails, in sudden realisation.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

When the rumors started at first, Fuu took passing note of them, the way she keeps an ear open for
most rumors at first contact. Frequently there's little in the way of truth to them: maybe some
accurate detail that's been blown out of proportion, like the story making the rounds that Fuu
herself would be dropping out of Infinity for some reason - whether because she was scouted by a
major game company (to which story she politely laughed, and refuted thoroughly) or getting married
(cue a massive blush and equally thorough, if more desperate, refutation).

But while many of the rumors were swiftly weeded out by the unrelenting scythe of Truth, a few
persisted. Gold Star exchange students at Ohtori - certainly they were there, and as unpleasant in
person as rumor depicted them (to judge by Fuu's brief encounter with one of them) ... and then
there's the one about prized possessions being stolen. No seeming rhyme or reason, save that the
objects were of great importance to their proper owners.

Do I have anything that precious to me? Fuu wonders, as she's packing her bag up at the end of the
day. Something I normally carry with me ... She double-checks her pockets, finding her keys, her
glove-jewel, her phone; she goes through her bag for good measure. Textbooks, notebooks, laptop,
game case ...

"What?" Fuu whispers to herself, hurriedly but systematically emptying her bookbag onto her desk -
the main compartment and all of its pockets. She has her games, even though she shouldn't
technically bring them to school (and she knows it, but as long as she doesn't play in class and
keeps her grades high, there's not really a problem) ... but the system she *plays them on* has
vanished.

Fuu sinks down into her chair again, her heart sinking further and harder as she goes through the
bag one more time. Ironically, she'd just come to the decision that she'd leave her 3DS at home
until the problem of stolen items is resolved - but apparently it's already too late.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

As the last class comes to an end and the school bell rouses many students from boredom strong
enough to cause glazed looks, Niramo is one of a few that doesn't immediately rises from her seat.
Not that last hour Japanese isn't a subject that riviting, more the ravenette has something else on
her mind than joining the 'go home' club for today. There's the demand for a cooking club luncheon
stall once a week that she'll need to help with and how to figure out when is the best time to
practice dancing on her own.

There's also the rash of thefts plaguing Juuban, and if rumor has it, the other two Sister Schools
as well.

Wakatsuki has actually been a victim of these thefts. A new wireless gaming headset she purchased
for an amazing price went missing from her bag during class, and was found in the desk of a shy
seventh year student boy the next day. Wakatsuki was kinda at fault for showing off her bargaining
purchase off at school, but the 'thief' never had any history of being a troublemaker. It didn't
seemed to fit at all, and a lot of students were getting angry about getting blamed for stealing
something they never seen before!

"Father always said to write down everything when you're starting an investigation." Flipping the
flap lid of her bookbag away and to the open light, Niramo starts searching through the contents for
a notebook she's been using for several months now. One of her father's, a fancy leather-bound
notebook with his name written in goldleaf font on the front. There's her Social Studies textbook
and her phone...but the notebook wasn't here?

A small yawn distracts Niramo from her search for a moment, and she looks at a side pocket to see
Takk stick his head out and stretch his arms out wide. Apparently the Kwami has been napping while
she's been fighting off sleep during the last class.

"Ah, Takk-san, have you seen my notebook?" "Hmm? It should be in the large pocket to my right. You
always keep it there." "But I already looked...there...?"

A few more seconds of rummaging can be overheard before a shout can be heard outside the classroom.
"It's gone?!"

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.

Some present find their items missing over time after the theft, whomever may be stealing them.
Others find out quite quickly. One such case is in the Sixth grade classroom, where little Steven
Universe speaks with a teacher. "You saw me walk in with it, right? It is really hard to miss! Very
chic and popular overseas!"

Okay, bit of embelishing there, but it was important.

The class had let out to find the hook where Steven place his back day in and out was empty. His
books and everything inside was gone too, but was postly school related.

A furrowed brow crosses the boy's face. "Who took it...! I gotta call some people, see what is
up..."

Didn't even elave the school books! "Uh, miss teach, I gotta borrow school books for homework until
I can find it..." Thankfully the teacher does remember that silly backpack of his, and that he came
in with it.

"Awh, I'm gonna have to use the hot dog duffel now..." Which isn't bad, but it is no hamburger. Lera
would be ashamed of this burger misplacement!

"Maybe the lost and found... Or Lion maybe! Can he smell backpacks? Huhhhh...."

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (5)] has posed.

~Not too long after~

Standing dramatically upon a rooftop, the figure dramatically slices down her poleaxe, before
twirling it to hold him horizontal.

"Bardiche. Wide Area Search."

<Yes Sir. Commencing Wide Area Search.>

Fate extends out her senses, using Bardiche as a conduit. Yellow concentric runic circles moving
both clockwise and counterclockwise form layers upon layers of shining interlaced magic at her
feet...

... only to abruptly vanish

<Not Found.>

"Eh? That was too soon to give up on a wide area search."

<Not Found.>

"Bardiche... are you trying to tell me that a wide area search only locates magical auras?"

<Yes Sir.>

"So the ribbons..." Fate doesn't even finish her sentence before Bardiche chimes.

<No Sir.>

"... even though they're very precious?" She asks muted.

"<No Sir.>"

"They're magical to me." Fate note sulkily, as she pouts on a rooftop, the wind whistling through
her fluttering cape and blonde hair.

<Yes Sir.>

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fate's Story

Hair ribbons are not important to some people. To many, they are just fashion accessories.
But the friendship withing Fate's hair ribbons make the much more important. Someone who treasures
them that much could recognize them from a mile away.

For Fate, searching from the rooftops, she did not have as far to look. It was impossible
to make out her features from that distance, but the ribbons in that girl's brown hair, the girl
running as fast as she can... those ribbons had to be them! And perhaps a tiny ping of a magical
aura could just now be sensed....

Mikoto's Story

Despite - or maybe because - the lunch room was so busy, nobody seemed to spot anything out
of the ordinary. Not even when someone - or something - stole Mikoto's phone. It was a 'simple' flip
phone, but such an object could not truly be considered simple. After all, a phone can be one's
lifeline. A method of communicating - and connecting - with others. A gift from a friend that allows
one to stay in touch with other friends, that is something to be treasured. Something for Mikoto to
treasure. And all that is left of it...

...is a ringtone? Faint, almost inaudible, but it was definitely ringing SOMEWHERE. And it
was getting fainter. Quieter as it is clearly moving away.

Fuu's Story

Does Fuu have anything precious to her? Such a question. Surely she did, but would she
bring such a thing with her? Yes. Her 3DS. A portal to many worlds, a device perfect for escape from
the everyday world, and a way to have fun with many others. And it was gone. It seems it was more
than mere rumor.

Another victim. And no sign of the thief. Not for a while, anyways, until later, in the
hall, just within eyesight of those with the sharpest vision, is a short-haired girl with nearly-
indistinguishable features, a uniform that doesn't seem to be Infinity Institute's... and a 3DS. One
that seems awfully familiar. It is placed... somewhere, probably in some pocket? And the girl runs.

Niramo's Story

Detective Niramo is on the case! She seems to catch on to the fact that the motives and
history of some of the accused don't make sense. She went to put her clues in her notebook... but it
is now just another clue, a missing piece of the puzzle in the wind. A notebook that was a fatherly
memento. Love and memories and words. A powerful artefact of the heart. And now it is gone.

Or perhaps that obscured boy with the obscured backpack has it. Yes, that is what is in his
hands, and now in his backpack. He breaks into a sprint... and is gone. But something was wrong with
him. A whiff of magic? And something suspicious about him. Maybe the way that he can't seemed to be
completely identifiable...

Steven's Story

Steven's backpack was gone. Not just any backpack, but his Cheeseburger backpack! A classic
Steven backpack, one that reflects his personality. A backpack is a precious object. One that can
contain just about anything and everything important to its wearer. It can even contain memories.
And such a backpack is unmistakable, it could not have been grabbed by accident. Not even by that
short girl who is turning the corner... and gone. Though not gone forever, as if one is sharp of eye
and quick of feet, they could just barely keep an eye on her...

COMBAT: Fate Testarossa transforms into Barrier Jacket Impulse!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

The only thing that can cheer Mikoto up in the wake of this horrific loss...

Is lunch.

Which might explain why she hoovers down the rest of her meal, HOMPH nomph nomph, and Chie
and Aoi know her better than to interrupt when Mikoto is Very Busy Eating.

She leans back in her seat when she's finished consuming it all, the cafeteria chair's front
legs tilted up off of the ground. "It's gone," she repeats herself, but she at least sounds a little
less /devastated/ now she's had something to eat. A little more reflective...

Sure, it's gone, but Mikoto isn't exactly a stranger to looking for something important. And
Chie said these things are turning up with other students, right..?

All a sudden her ear twitches, as her keen hearing picks up something faint in the distance.
A faint chiptune...

BGM: Toby Fox - Walls Covered In Blood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ijkQhO6Xs

Mikoto bolts up in her chair, with a /scrrrape/ of ornate legs on the ground which causes a
few tall and glamourous students to look up from the next table over. "That's it!" She declares, as
she grabs her sword-case and shrugs it onto her shoulder, bounding out of the cafeteria towards the
fading noise of the ringtone.

"Wait-- Mikoto-chan, your books--!" Aoi calls after her, looking from the bag still strewn
across the table to the retreating girl.

"It's fine," sighs Chie, with the tone of someone who has Definitely Dealt With This
Nonsense Before, "Mai-chan can take care of them..."

Mikoto doesn't even think about the responsibility she has thrust onto Mai's shoulders - or
about the other girl she practically barrels over as she bounds out through the hall - because she
is busy /chasing that ringtone./ Her hearing is really very good, but it's getting away..!!

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (5)] has posed.

Fate sees a reflection tracing across the glass. An indirect view. Amplified. Her chin lifts. And
suddenly... "Those look like..."

<Sir. Detected. Distance - 10.>

OST Change - Retaliation - Promised Neverland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydXhgMORSM8

Without hesitation. Fate suddenly leans forward, and it's like she's topping off the building. In a
freefall dive. "Hold it!"

Except it's not really. Her downward trajectory subtly shifts such that she arcs to be parallel to
the streets rather than perpendicular, flying just above the level of the street lights.

"You won't get away!" She declares, as she turns the corner in a blur.

<Sonic Move>

Flash
Flash
Flash
Flash

Strobe flashes erupt as the girl skips half blocks of Tokyo at a time. Her spell moving her around a
hairpin turn of a corner.

<Distance - 20.>

"Bardiche. Load Cartridge."

<Cartridge Load.>

A plate on the haft of her weapon opens as she flies, moving into a revolver like spin, before
pounding in a cartridge. Golden energy boils off of her.

<Sonic Move.>

Now she's skipping whole blocks at a time, as she follows behind that faint magical signal.

Flash
Flash
Flash
Flash

With a look of absolute determination on the brief look of her speeding image, she gives chase
through the streets of Tokyo at ludicrous speed.

Not far away. A stray Shiba Inu puppy jaywalks across the road.

Only for her to gasp.

The child abruptly shifts course, corkscrewing up, and over...

... sideways...

Skimming down to road level she grabs the puppy before the truck would have impacted it. "That was
close." The girl says to the shivering pup in her arms, that's obviously terrified.

-=-=-

"Please take her."

The animal shelter worker looks confused at the fact that a girl just appeared in front of her in
cosplay, holding up a puppy. "Okay - um -" She takes the puppy.

Only to notice the distinct lack of the girl who gave it to her standing in that spot.

Fate is already speeding back along the streets of Tokyo in hot pursuit. "I /won't/ let you have
your way." She vows.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Now with the fear of having to explain to her father that his 'borrowed' detective notebook - let
alone what was written inside it - was lost, an annoyed Niramo starts heading towards the lobby of
the Juuban school building. Now the stakes were even higher since she was a victim, but she can't
just start searching all the desks one by one. She could be mistaken as the prankster.

So it's time to take another page from her father's stolen notebook. When you don't know the suspect
but have a general location, it was time for a stakeout.

That's how Niramo is found leaning against the side of a piller as she watches students exit the
building on their way home or to their after-school clubs. No one really seems like they would be an
obvious thief, but Niramo does like the idea of Chloe somehow getting in trouble for everything.
"No, bad thoughts. This is a stakeout, I have to be professional and-hmm?" She's not quite sure what
about the boy student gains her attention. Black hair, plain face that seems hard to read, but
moving a little faster than the other students.

Or maybe it's the sight of a very familiar notebook disappearing into a simple backpack.

"Hey! Give that back!" Warnings of going from standing still to a sprint being bad for her muscles
are ignored as Niramo starts chasing after the fleeing student, bookbag bouncing on her hip. A
problem quickly arises by how difficult it is to keep an eye on her suspect, not because of him
being fast but how her eyes don't want to pay attention to the Juuban runaway.

Niramo sees a crossing light ahead of her just turning green and starts to put a little more speed
in her steps when- "Stop! To the left!" The ravenette stops herself before she rushes into a
businessman and looks down at her jostled bookbag to see Takk sticking his head out, nose twitching
rapidly. "Huh? Takk-san, are you-" "No time to explain. Just follow my directions...and hurry up!
The trail is already growing faint." Complaints are tossed to the wind and Niramo nods once before
going around the corner of the block. She just have to trust Takk and hope the Kwami doesn't lead
her astray.

And only then does Niramo realize the worst part about the situation. She has to jog just to keep
up. Strong words are going to be said about this unwanted exercise later.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

When something goes missing at school, the proper and correct thing to do (as long as it's not
explicitly against school rules) is to report the missing item ... and with the rash of thefts, as
much as Fuu hates to join the statistics, reporting her missing 3DS is about the only thing she can
think of to do. It's not like there's much in the way of distinguishing features, though; it's an
original model, blue in color, with her own username, things like that.

She leaves the office with little optimism - at least until she catches sight of a girl, just around
the corner from the office door. Fuu reaches up briefly to adjust her glasses, but she can see
easily enough that it's *not* an Infinity uniform that girl is wearing. "Excuse me - ?"

A glimpse of blue plastic, part of the shape of a game system. It could be a coincidence, and yet it
*can't* be; the sure evidence would be to turn the system on, check the username and Mii, play
records -

The girl disappears around the corner, running footsteps retreating. Fuu abandons subtlety and
courtesy in a breath, and runs in pursuit, uwabaki slapping against the floor - but by the time she
reaches the corner, the stranger has vanished.

Gone. Like her game system. But now Fuu's suspicions are up, and she makes her way out of the
Infinity Institute main tower, texting an apology to the archery club's vice president.

A few moments later, the Magic Knight of Wind stands atop a skyscraper near Infinity Island,
wondering which direction she needs to head in. She lost track of the stranger inside, she could
have gone anywh--

There's a blink of gold in the distance, and another. The Wind Knight peers in that direction, then
calls the wind to assist her leaps, picking up speed as she guesses at whose lead she's following.
Fate is a good ally, and while she might be on a different trail entirely, at least it's a possible
direction to head in. It's certainly far better than nothing.

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.

A deep sigh escapes Steven as he worries for a precious item from a younger day. Where could it have
gone? Who could have taken it? And why? Perhaps this was a time to BE A DETECTIVE.

Though with few leads, there was nothing to go on. A promising lead could be asking other students
where they last saw it. But no other students are present, except...! "H-Hey!" Steven calls, looking
toward the door. A short girl just left-- difficult to tell if a classmate or not, but lingered an
odd amount of time near the classroom entrance, the only others who were inside were the teacher and
the Gem victim.

Sneakers hit tile, and Steven jogs to try and keep up with them-- strangely enough they appear to
pick up the pace as well, whether late to a club or actually fleeing is unknown, but this boy will
be sure to catch them and talk it out!

Who knows, maybe they saw where the backpack went! "Waaaaait!" he calls out to them.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Mikoto's Story

Mikoto rushes out after the mysterious ringtone without books, without manners, and
seemingly without care of consequences. She is on the hunt! And... spots her potential prey. Someone
that doesn't belong to this school. Someone with her phone? It seems that way. At least, the ring
tone is coming from that person. And that person... has left the schoolgrounds, and is still
running.

Fate's Story

If Fate did not stop for the dog, she could have caught the thief. However, the trail does
not go cold. The girl with the hair ribbons stays just barely in sight, heading towards an
industrial area...

Niramo's Story

Detective work, intuition, Takk's nose, and unwanted exercise get Niramo within vague
viewing distance of the boy with the backpack. The backpack containing her notebook. It takes a lot
of jogging to keep up, but at this rate, he will be caught in the industrial area.

Fuu's Story

Following the school rules was the right decision for Fuu - for an unexpected reason. She
manages to spy the girl with her 3DS. Well, A 3DS, but... wrong uniform, running when seen... she is
at least up to no good! Even after losing her, Fuu finds her again as the Wind Knight... or at least
finds Fate, who is on the trail of another thief at the very least.

Steven's Story

That short girl... Steven was able to tell something about her, even if she had a vague
appearance. She was either the thief or in the wrong place at the wrong time. When she is now seen
wearing the Cheeseburger Backpack - one of the only distinct things about her besides her height -
which one of those she was is confirmed. And she's out of there.

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (5)] has posed.

<Sonic Form.>

Fate's Barrier Jacket shifts and suddenly she's streaking towards Keiyou Industrial District at
speeds that supersonic jets would envy.

... one can tell she's pretty determined to catch this girl...

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The Theives'(?) Story

All of the thieves seem to be just one-half a step away from everyone. A corner here, a
distraction there, and they fade out of sight for a little bit. They all seem to be heading to the
same place - The Keiyou Industrial District, and not the friendly-looking part. Small factories
belching steam and smoke, loud machinery whirring and beeping away, and other obstacles make it
difficult to navigate and search. And... it seems the thieves are gone. With the heroes beginning to
arrive all in the same general area, it is strange that none of them have caught the culprits. There
is no trace of them left, except for a giant cheeseburger with straps and zippers in the middle of a
warehouse's parking lot...

To Be Continued...

2020-06-28 - Sister Schools or Stealing Schools

2020-07-06T23:12:56Z

2020-06-20 - Masked Counselling in the Electric Town

2020-06-21T17:34:48Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Masked Counselling in the Electric Town'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Two Miraculous Heroes come across one another while out on separate patrols in Akihabara and end up having a fond chat. Both are brought up to speed on the other's situation and shortcomings are talked over, helping to ease each other's burden even if it's only a little.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Akihabara Electric Town
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
6/20/2020 - 9/7/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Akihabara Electric Town +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Brave Akihabara, holy land of nerds, Akihabara of the cartoony signs and
gumball-machine colors. One can buy anything in Akihabara, as long as it is
computer gear, electronics or anime merchandise. The main strip is the
glitziest, with a large percentage of the visible building faces covered in
electronic signs, huge posters, or garish paint jobs, and there one can
purchase coveted new items at (or just a hair before) their street dates.
The streets to either side are home to a messier brand of store, where one
can, with a little luck and persistence, find used goods like that rare
out-of-print first edition Sailor V figurine or vanity press Pretty Cure
doujinshi. These smaller stores compete ferociously for space, and can be
found crammed into alleyways and spilling out onto sidewalks as well as in
more standard configuration.

Those whose tastes run more to programming than fandom can find the area,
also known as Akihabara Electric Town, quite rewarding as well. It's the
perfect place to shop for computer parts and other gadgets for projects both
personal and paranormal, with the venue ranging from a posh cutting-edge
robotics store on the main strip, to tiny stalls wedged into alleys that
sell high-grade electronics on the cheap. The latter category manage this
feat of thrift by selling unpackaged items taken from wholesale lots, and
piled up for display like supermarket apples.

It's relatively safe to be seen wearing unusual clothing here; it's likely
to be taken for cosplay, or the uniform of one of the diversely themed maid
cafes.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi's clawed boots hit the top of the top of a computer shopping outlet, but she wasn't out in
Akihabara to go shopping. Maybe window shop from up above, but she can do that while keeping an eye
out. Even if there's not a destructive monster or an evil plan afoot, Sourisi goes out often enough
on patrol just to keep an eye on the city. It has helped her be earlier to respond in the past, but
it can help her relax as well.

Relaxing from the first day of being back as school is needed, that's for sure. Most of her summer
homework was good enough for the teachers without any issues, but Sourisi will swear that the social
studies teacher really did have it out for her. And her math drills that she turned in wasn't all
that great either. She really did thought it was a tangent sign, not Pi...

While she hasn't been one for physical excersise in the past, the dance training she's been taking
for the last several months have been starting to make her think there is a way to relax while
tiring yourself out. It can let her get lost in thought...like exactly what she's doing now when she
should be looking around for any creepy people trying to blend in.

"Okay...time for a break." Sourisi says this to herself as she slows down to a halt on the edge of a
rooftop, looking down at the busy street below. As long as she's not leaning too far out, she
shouldn't be spotted by anyone on the street. That, and it's amazing just to see what sort of people
come out to Akihabara in the later part of the day.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Above the city watches a silent yet stylish guardian. In a dramatic pose, she stands tall,
overlooking Akihabara. An inspiration to all, she does her duty without complaint. She is the one,
the only...

Sailor V!

And above that Sailor V sign advertising the newest game or figurine or something is
Serpentina Ruse.

The light breeze moves her long braid slightly, but the rest of her is as still as the
sign. Her yellow eyes - which usually look almost like they are glowing at some angles - practically
shine with determination, and her jaw is set tight. She is crouched like a gargoyle, silent and
solemn as stone. She seems like she is either laser-focused... or that there is a lot on her mind.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Dark green eyes gaze down upon the street below her, focusing on the occasional cosplayer and maid
advertising for a cafe before continuing on. There was a new store advertising an impressive stock
of retro and classic video games that she almost thought about checking out then and there, but
Sourisi quickly shakes her head, braid whipping about. "Geeze, I can go shopping later...or after I
get my allowence again."

She hate to imagine it, but maybe trying out for a part time job for extra income might be in her
future.

Stretching an arm above her head and yawning softly, Sourisi is getting herself motivated when
something catches her eye. She didn't know there was a new Sailor V game coming ou-oh, and who's
that? It takes Sourisi a second to take in the full details of Serpentina posed on top of the sign
that caught her attention, but a smile forms on her face as she realizes who it is. Seems like she's
not the only one out and about tonight!

It takes several leaps and bounds across rooftops and over alleyways, but she reaches the
advertisement quickly enough from the side. Cupping a hand to her mouth as she nears, she calls out
to the other masked heroine. "Hey! Serpentina!" No sense trying to sneak up on the other Miraculous
User, after all. "Didn't expect to see you out and about. Yen for your thoughts?"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"The Green Guardian, the Scaled Superhero, the Slitherer Supreme. Ha!" Serpentina appears
to be talking to herself, making nickname jokes... bitterly? She scans the surrounding city from her
perch, slowly turning her head and nothing else. "Queen Cobra... because I deserve to be known as
royalty, of course... ugh.. what's wrong with me?" She sighs, lowering her eyes for just a moment...

In that moment, Serpentina misses the movement on the other roof. She looks lost in her own
little word, but then suddenly snaps, thrusting a white parasol with a green pattern at Sourisi's
general direction when she calls out for her. "WHAT!?" She hisses angrily, tensed as if ready to
fight. "You-...oh... Oh!"

Upon realizing her 'attacker' was a friend, Serpentina relaxes, lowering her umbrella. Her scowl
unfolds and rearranges into a grin. "Hello Squeaks! Has been too long. Way too long, in fact!" She
dashes towards Sourisi, then uses her umbrella to pole vault over her, twisting multiple times in
the air to land facing her. "I barely recognize you. I thought you might be a very cute youma!"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi's feeling glad that she called out to Serpentina before she got too close, especially with
that umbrella pointed at her. It may seem silly to some people, but appearences mean nothing to how
effective it is. Raising up her hands in surrender towards the other Miraculous User, Sourisi has an
eyebrow raised up in surprise. "Yep, it's me. Been ages since we last seen each other, huh?" A light
tint of color can be seen on Sourisi's cheeks as she takes the odd compliment. "Awww, i'm not that
cute. You're just saying that, Slithery."

Sourisi did catch a bit that one-sided conversation Serpentina was having. Trying to think of a
title for yourself is actually something she hasn't thought about in the past, but the last part was
worrisome. Combining that with how she had looked down upon the business end of a parasol, even for
a moment, is enough to know something's up. Not with how stylish Serpentina made that jump looked,
though. "I been a little worried about you, honestly, but I guess we both been really busy. Guess
i'm not the only one who likes traveling via rooftop, huh?"

Takk has really gotten better about getting onto her about occasionally transforming just to get
home faster.

Lowering her hands back down, Sourisi lets the smile disappear to be replaced with a small frown. "I
hope i'm not overstepping my bounds but...is something up? I thought I was supposed to be the jumpy
one with being the mouse, but you have some quick reflexes!" Sourisi may not know Serpentina all
that well or that long, but maybe she might be of some help to the snake-scaled heroine. "I know it can
help to vent if something has you agitated."

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Come on," Serpentina teases, "you're adorable, admit it! Besides, you'd definitely be
among the prettiest youma I've seen, you have to at least admit THAT!"

Of more serious matters, Serpentinas tension partially returns. "Thank you for worrying
about me, but that was... mostly unnecessary. I'm almost entirely not having a major crisis at all!"
She leans back, propping herself up with her umbrella.

She then realizes that it wasn't that Sourisi 'was' worried, but IS worried. She sighs, and
gives in. "Yeah... I'm obviously not one-hundred percent. I've basically been neglecting my duties
all summer long, and then my first two calls to action... well..." She quietly groaned, but
continues. "Okay, the first time back, I fought a Youma with some allies. However, it was pathetic.
I barely needed to do anything. Compared to all the others that have been going around this summer,
I did nothing! And then my second call to action. The trap I fell for... and didn't even know it
until Ressi let me know she saved me and my Mirac-... wait." A pondering look came across
Serpentina's frustrated face. "I don't remember how much you know. Do you know who Ressi is?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

While Sourisi's happy that she can get Serpentina to open up, it's still worrisome that Serpentina
has something to make her fret over so much. That...and that acting was so forced, it almost hurt to
watch. Very specific denial just make things stick out more.

Sourisi winces slightly upon hearing about the neglecting of duties, but not for the reasons the
other heroine might think. "I...think you kinda dodged a bullet early on during the summer. I kinda
got stabbed multiple times with magic spears. Everyone got overwhelmed, and there's still a lot of
questions about what happened..."

That frown deepens as Sourisi listens, letting Serpentina bring out her fustrations into words.
"I...kinda worry about if i'm holding others back at times myself. I do my best whenever anything
terrible happens in Tokyo, but...it does feel like that isn't enough sometimes." It hurts to admit
it out loud, but... "I just try to see it that I have a lot of room to improve on!"

Wait, something about Serpentina glossed over makes her blink. "Wait, back up. There was a trap? And
your Miraculous was stolen?! That's...bad. Very bad. But you obviously has it back, so it all worked
out right?" Something big must have happened, but she doesn't remember hearing anything about a big
fight in the last few weeks. Did Sourisi missed something?

The name of Ressi doesn't ring any bells, but if she apparently saved Serpentina and her
Miraculous... "Wait, is Ressi the name of your Kwami?" It might be kinda personal info, but it feels
awful to know a bit of someone's identity without some sort of trade. "Well, my Kwami's name is
Takk. A little stuffy, but he can be a big softy."

She can almost hear the indignant protests now. She certainly will later.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The eyes behind Serpentina's mask widen in shock when she hears about the spears. "Are you
okay? What happened? I'm so glad you're alive! You're supposed to DODGE the spears, not try to
absorb them! You're a mouse not an armadillo! You... sorry. I'll calm down and let you... and me...
continue."

After both share their worries, Serpentina feels a LITTLE better. "I have much I need to
improve on too. Too much it seems. But... I'm not alone at least, thank you."

Sourisi... didn't know? This was important! "Well... there was evil homework - no, not a
joke. It made everyone double and triple and infinitely check and recheck it, in some evil homework
trance. Meanwhile, lots of us had our stuff stolen. And yes... Ressi is the name of my Kwami.
Everyone was in danger and I was too busy doing homework that my Kwami had to help save the day. I
don't even know what homework it was... probably math, since it was evil-" Oops. That was a clue to
who she was. Then again, so many girls from so many schools don't like math, and it wasn't like
Sourisi would know which one, if she even knew her at all."

"Takk, huh?" Serpentina quickly switches topics. "He sounds interesting. Ressi is
overprotective and a little devious, but she means well. She's also a big eater, though doesn't like
eggs."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi tugs upon the ends of her braid, discomfort clear on her face upon mentally reliving that
memory. "Yeaaaah. I tried, several times. Unfortunately, the beings we were fighting against had a
bad habit of pinning me down." She doesn't care how much Ladybug complains, saying bad puns does
make her feel a little better. "And right, kinda got distracted there!"

Sourisi only sighs and nods her head once, firmly. "Agreed, but maybe that's something we can
improve on together? I don't want to be a burden to anyone else, if I can help it. And...it sounds
weird, but i'm glad to know i'm not the only one who feels like that too." She doesn't want to slow
down Ladybug, Chat Noir, or anyone else down...

Sourisi struggles to take in Serpentina's explination at first, finding a little hard to beleive.
Homework is obviously evil, but to cause...a trance...? The realization hits the shorter girl like a
brick, and she just stops herself from looking at her own Miraculous right then and there. "That
explains why I wasted a whole afternoon constantly thinking I messed up! There's evil, and then
there's forbidden magic! Ugggh, I am so going have a talk with a certain someone about that later.
Uh...thanks, Slithery. I really didn't know."

Sourisi notices the mention of hated math for a moment, but the snake-based Miraculous heroine
changes the subject before she can follow the train of thought. Hearing about Ressi does give her
something to giggle at, something to help soften the news about the trap she apparently fell into as
well.

"He is, but he can act like a tiny mad scientist at times. He turned a hair dryer into a air
fryer...somehow. Oh, and egg dishes like omelets or anything that might contain it, like cake?"
Sourisi gives her braid another tug mindlessly as she thinks on what possible snacks she might make
for the Kwami. Ressi might not be her partnered up Kwami, but it would be a nice treat.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Hm. You feel the way I do. While we have experience now... we are still relative newbies."
Serpentina softly smiles at Sourisi. "At least we have come a long way. I remember being happy that
I single-handedly defeated Akumas and 'cured' them. And I tripped during one of my early adventures
despite my pretty good sense of balance. We still have a lot to learn, but we've also both learned a
lot. Maybe we can help each other out somehow. Sharing experience, and maybe training together?"

It looks like Serpentina wasn't the only one here who fell for the homework trap! "That...
was definitely horrible. I feel bad not that I fell for it, but that I fell for it after not having
done much good lately, like I have a negative helping/needing help ratio. But I feel ANGRY about the
form of the trap! I'm forced to second-guess myself all the time as a hero as it is, hypnotizing me
to think I messed up on my homework endlessly as a civilian is just terrible! I'm sorry you had to
go through it too, Squeaks."

Food, Serpentina's Kwami's favorite subject. "Ressi loves cake.. and all kinds of other
desserts. It is mainly eggs by themselves that she despises. She loves sweet things. And tart
things. And savory things. And food things. But mostly sweet."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpentina hits it squarely on the head, summing everything up squarely. "We have made mistakes, but
we can't focus on them and let them drag us back, right? Just have to learn from them and move on.
Oh, and I do practice my throwing skills on bottles. Clean up is a mess, but I have gotten better
about aiming. We can try looking for a place to practice together sometime, then."

Sourisi laughs softly and rubs her right arm with her left hand, looking away with an embarrased
look on her face. Looking upon the cutout of Sailor V does remind her of why she was out here in the
first place. "You're...not the only one who has been slacking off. I got so caught up in the
relaxing part of summer break, I stopped doing my patrols. It's why i'm out right now, actually. I
wanted to make up for all that time I wasn't helping out like I should have been!"

Letting go of her arm, Sourisi walks over and places her right hand on Serpentina's shoulder if
allowed. "And all that means is that we need to balance that out that ratio, right? Hmmm...do we
need to beat up double the monsters or just beat up the monsters we do find extra hard?" Sourisi
sighs before reaching up with her same hand and rubs at the her neck in embarrasement. "And if
you're right, I fell for that dirty trick too. But...if it makes you feel any better? The times you
been out and fighting, I know everyone appreciates you being there, even if they can't show it
during a fight."

"So, thank you. Even if it doesn't seem like it, you being there makes a difference, you know!" It
feels like that every once in a while, but Sourisi knows this lesson by heart.

Hearing about Ressi's love for anything sweet has a grin forming on the plotting mouse's face.
"Sweets, huh? I'll just have to make sure Ressi-san can have something to look forward to in the
future. Oh, uh...right. Takk-san doesn't like anything with cheese, so I had to make sure. As for
what he likes...he enjoys sushi, but he said he like fugu the most. Considering how bad a mistake
can be...I worry about him sometime."

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Looks like we both had our problems this summer," Serpentina admits. "We need to work
extra hard - um... hm." She lets Sourisi put her hand on her shoulder, but seems more concerned with
what she said. "I'm.. not sure. Maybe we need to do both. Beat more monsters extra well done? That
might make me feel a bit more on track. I lost my patrol time too, so I'm already doubling that, as
seen tonight. And thank you." She mirrors Sourisi's action, attempting to place a hand on Sourisi's
shoulder. "Same goes for you. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that appreciates your help."

Serpentina listens to Sourisi about Takk, and has a curious grin on her face. "Looks like
it is time to teach you some fun facts. Mice loving cheese was an American cartoon invention. Cheese
was usually what was available to them in cellars and stuff, so people thought they loved it. And
fugu isn't dangerous to make." Her grin turns dark and mischivous. "It is dangerous to make RIGHT."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It's one thing to say comforting words to someone when they need it, but it's quite another when
someone gives what you need to hear in return. "That works for me. I might feel a little sorry for
the next monsters we come across, then. But no mercy for whoever created that magical homework trap.
There are some things that just shouldn't be done!"

Sourisi smiles softly as she gets a comforting hand on her shoulder as well. They were quite
different but she's realizing the pair of them have more in common than she realizes. Who would have
thought a patrol going out for magical duties can make her feel closer to one of her team mates?

And then Serpentina pulls out the sudden trivia and history lesson on both cheese AND fugu sushi.
"Wait, really? It's such a common myth, I thought it was real. That explains why mouse traps never
seem to work in that one Western cartoon. And exactly! I have no plan on trying fugu if I can help
it. Some normal sushi sounds much more appetizing, huh?"

That grin Serpentina is sporting is a little worrisome. Best not go to a sushi resturant
together...though going out in their costumes might be a bad idea.

Turning her head to the side, Sourisi looks up at the bright lights of Akihabara for a few moments.
"Feeling better, I hope? Sometimes you just need a friend to help let you air out your
thoughts...uh, I hope we're friends, right?" Hopefully they are, with how open they were just a few
minutes ago, but maybe Serpentina might be slow to accept a friend...

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"The one who created the homework trap... deserves no mercy." Serpentina sounded scarily
serious and seriously scary. "Of all the villainous schemes... that one went too far. No double
effort against them, that's way too weak of a beating for such a heinous crime."

Serpentina and Sourisi are bonding over their strengths and weaknesses. At least it seems
that way to Serpentina. Comforting each other in their time of need, lifting each other up... it is
nice to have friends. Sourisi... Niramo... maybe even Ai? Perhaps she is better at making friends
than she thought. Perhaps she is more deserving of friends than she thought.

Serpentina's trivia seems to have impressed Sourisi. "I'm glad I could share interesting
facts! I have to know a wide range of things. After all, Ohtori-er.... aaaanyways, yeah, the poison
is part of the flavor, weird, huh?"

Serpentina finally relaxes enough to sit down next to her friend. "Thank you. You really
helped out. And... of course we're friends. We have been friends for a very long time. Unless I
misread things. Are we secretly enemies... or...?" She laughs softly. Today was a good day.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It seems the duo are in complete agreement on the punishment for the homework mastermind. "Homework
already bad enough to deal with, we don't need to worry about mental snares as well."

Was that a slipped comment about Serpentina being from Ohtori or knowing students who go to Ohtori?
Neither doesn't really narrow down who it is behind the other mask...maybe it's just a comment on
the odd taste of Ohtori students and nothing more. "I'll just take your word on it. I think if you
really do want a 'tingly' taste, it might be better to lick a battery."

Seeing Serpentina sitting down, Sourisi sets herself on the rooftop as well. The patrol can wait just
a little bit longer, after all. "No, no, absolutely friends. I just wanted to make sure!" Sourisi
leans herself backwards and uses her arms to prop herself up. It did feel good to hear that she
was a friend of Serpentina from her own lips. Things might be getting more intense lately, but it's
nice to know another person she can depend on.

2020-06-16 - Cookies And Company Makes Algebra Easier To Swallow

2020-06-17T22:12:10Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Cookies And Company Makes Algebra Easier To Swallow'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Niramo invites several friends to her house to offer moral support as she takes on the last of her summer homework. Things surprisingly doesn't go too far off tangent.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Ai Yamamoto]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]], [[Fumiko Inoue]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Umokeshi Household
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
6/16/2020 - 9/6/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Shitamachi Low City +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The traditions that the Shitamachi cultural region keeps alive were ancient
long before the Shogun turned the fishing town of Edo into Tokyo, "Eastern
Capital." The area has evolved greatly since then, but though Shitamachi is
a highly modernized metropolis, its traditions somehow coexist with bullet
trains, research universities, and electronics markets. The occasional
person in kimono and sandals will wait at the crossing alongside salarymen
in business suits. Compared to Yamanote, there are more bicycles, family
businesses, and food carts, and fewer scooters, corporations, and
convenience stores. Certain wards in Shitamachi can be just as dense and
urbanized as anything in Yamanote, but there's a tendency toward low-rise
apartment complexes in the residential areas, and office buildings rather
than office towers in the commercial.

The distinction between Shitamachi and Yamanote is messy, both
geographically and demographically, but significant enough that it remains
the most significant cultural divide in Tokyo. Shitamachi people, as a
whole, take themselves less seriously, and have a stronger sense of
community that feeds upon their active street culture of markets, shops, and
festivals. They may not be fashionable, but they are /fun/. The Juuban
public schools, undistinguished but in some ways better off for it,
exemplify this plebeian joie de vivre quite well. The Shitamachi dialect is
less distinct than it used to be, but it is still a force to be reckoned
with, with a broader, less refined, and more energetic sound to it than
standard Japanese.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

To some, a Sunday is the best day of the week. Not only is it generally the one day school students
have completely off to enjoy to themselves, stores often have limited time sales set on Sundays to
take advantage of the increase of daily customers. But for those that have left part of their summer
homework untouched and with the official start of the fall semester less than 24 hours away, it's
another thing entirely.

It's do or die time.

In an attempt to make the on final struggle against procastionated math drills bearable, Niramo has
sent invitations to her house to two of her friends via word or text conversation. There wasn't any
requirements to give any aid with the homework in Niramo's time of need, just emotional support.
There was even a bribe of free refreshments if that was needed to tip the scales.

The Umokeshi household is a modest house in the Shitamachi region once the guests arrive thanks to
the given directions. A gray stone wall and iron gate surrounds the two story house and the small
yard surrounding it, giving the illusion of privacy in Tokyo. The exterior walls gleamed with a
fresh coat of cream paint that coordinated well with the dark red roof, and the simple stone sign
just outside the gate with the words 'Umokeshi Residence' helps to seperate this house from the
others in this quiet neighborhood.

Inside, past the entry hallway is the living room, a low table in front of a modest couch and large
television set, with a worn recliner stuffed in a corner. A low wall seperates the living room from
the large kitchen, and the scent of freshly baked cookies fills the air.

Niramo herself was sitting on the floor, several papers spread out in front of her and scratching
away at her homework with a sharpened pencil. A plate of homemade frosted cookies sat near her, the
baked goods in the shapes of cupcakes, with frosted icing and 'wrappers' as well. Glancing up at the
clock on the wall, Niramo glances towards Takk and makes a motion with her hand towards the plate.
"If you want to grab a cookie now, you better do it quick, Takk-san. Fumiko-chan and Ai-chan are
supposed to be here pretty soon!"

The mouse Kwami blinks up at Niramo and shakes his head. "I'm sure there's plenty of time before
they get here. Besides, the episode is only half over." Takk focuses his full attention on the
television screen, showing a shonen anime that Niramo hasn't bothered to keep track of. "I never
should have showed you anime." It might sound disapproving, but there's no hiding the fond smile on
Niramo's lips.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It is time. Fumiko has fought many dangerous monsters. She has protected herself and others
from incredible threats. But this is it. The moment of her greatest fear and anxiety.

Entering a friend's house to help her review math homework.

Math is one of her greatest foes. Numbers taunt her. And don't get her started on adding
letters! But that isn't the main thing that has her shaking as she hesitantly pressed the doorbell
of her friend Niramo's house. This is a big friendship step! Being invited to a friend's house is
like being invited into a part of them! Nevertheless, she steels herself and...

The first hurdle is over. Fumiko is in Niramo's house. She looks around and takes in the
sights- before a different sense takes over. "Niramo... did you make cookies~?" Some of the anxiety
vanishes. She waves over to her friend. "I hope those are for me!" She then spies the homework and
frowns exaggeratedly. "And I hope THAT is NOT for me. You didn't get me extra homework, did you?"

Fumiko sits down and looks closer. "I'm here like I promised. Thank you for... inviting
me..." The next two hurdles: homework and friendship. "That means a lot to me that you entrust me
with your secret lair."

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

With the weekend in swing, Ai had been staying at her Aunt and Uncle's place in the Shitamachi
district. With Mio being grounded due to Mio related activities, Ai jumped at the chance offered by
Niramo. Surprisingly, her cousin also encouraged her to go over instead of sulking and demanding she
not go.

Dressed in a grey t-shirt with a picture of three kitten shaped scoops of icecream on an icecream
cone, as well as a tennis skirt and a pair of running shoes, she made her way to the Umokehsi
household.

Thankfully she's been able to follow the directions and hasn't ended up lost or somewhere she wasn't
meant to be. She stops out front of the house, and double checks to see if she's at the right
residence. Everything has gone too smoothly for her, so she's being cautious as usually she ends up
getting lost when going most places around Tokyo, with her barely able to travel from School to her
Aunt's house or vice versa. She steps through the gate, and then takes several steps back again,
just to double check the name plate on the house. She takes a deep breath and makes her way up to
the front door and then pauses and stares at it.

"What do people in the cities do?" the rural girl asks herself. Not being aware of the door bell,
she knocks and is soon brought through to where Niramo is studying.

"Niramo-chan!" Ai greets cheerfully, though she pauses when she spots Fumiko. "Fumiko-chan, too!"
Both brows raise when she spots what's being worked on, and she slowly makes her way closer to the
two other girls. "Oh, mathematics? What are you studying?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The sound of the doorbell playing a short musical tune and the front door opening has the ravenette
deliver a warning look towards where her smaller friend was sitting on the table. Key word is was,
as there doesn't seem to be any trace of him at all on the table, and a hint of movement from the
hallway leading towards the stairs is the only thing giving Niramo an idea on where the Kwami had
fled to. His hubris has left him without a chance to have a snack while the cookies were still warm
from the oven. Truly a punishment greater than the crime.

Turning back towards the front door, Niramo waves her left hand in greetings upon seeing her first
guest. "Fumiko-chan! Glad you could make it. I was starting to worry that I would have to eat all
these cookies myself." Niramo was dressed today in a bright pink tee-shirt with a silhouette of
Mount Fuji in pale blue and knee-length black shorts, and with her waist-length black hair held in a
ponytail with a red blue scrunchie.

She smiles as Fumiko takes a seat close to her and shakes her head. "Of course not. Math is Fumiko's
bane, as trying to learn about other countries is for me. I wouldn't endanger you with such peril."
She motions to the plate again in a gesture for Fumiko to help herself if she wanted. "And it means
a lot to me that you would come here as well...anything for a friend."

Instead of the doorbell going off, a series of knocks can be heard as Ai walks in and Niramo waves
her right hand this time. "Hey, Ai-chan! I know you have trouble finding out where to go, so I was
half-expecting having to talk you through on how to get here. I hope it wasn't too far to travel."
Niramo gives a surprised look between Fumiko and Ai as the giant country girl calls her classmate by
name, but looks pleased with herself. 'I knew you could make more friends, Fumiko!'

The mention has the short ravenette groaning as she's reminded of the task at hand. "Not studying by
my own will, that's for certain. I...may have forgotten part of my summer homework, and I just
remembered after hanging out with Fumiko-chan at the arcade yesterday." A huff of air sends spent
eraser bits flying away from her paper. "I think I only have one more page to go, but I thought it
would be nice if we could talk about our summers while I catch up. I was also going to try to have a
new friend for Fumiko-chan, but you two already seem to know each other too."

A quick glance at Ai and a motion towards the frosted cupcake cookies is given before Niramo stares
at the final boss of the summer. "That, and...well, I get really lonely just being at home by myself
too."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

As soon as the cookies are offered, Fumiko strikes like a snake! A cookie vanishes from the
plate and into her hand! "Thank you," she says, grinning. "This should help fortify my defenses
against the dreaded...what was it? Boredom Empire? And the evils of math!" She giggles, taking a
bite of the cookie... then taking a larger bite and chewing it slowly. "mm...Mm! This is good! Thank
you!"

It means a lot...? Anything for a friend? Fumiko looks awkwardly happy at these statements.
"Well... you are my best friend, and one of my only friends. It is only natural I'd do anything in
my power to make sure we are both happy with that dark contract we must have signed to make that
happen. I don't even know how-"

And then Ai walks in. Fumiko's eyes widen as she looks around. Nope, just Ai, no sister
this time. She sighs... then blushes at being greeted by Ai then praised by Niramo. "H-hi, Ai. Good
to see you again. Funny running into you here! Thankfully less literally this time. Although if that
is what it takes to become friends, I think I need to crash into people and fall with others more
often."

The task at hand makes fun times quickly become more somber. Fumiko glares at the homework;
any harder and laser beams would come out of her eyes and obliterate it. "Summer homework. The bane
of freedom. At least we can tackle it together."

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"I was surprised myself as I didn't get overly lost!" Ai says in agreement. "I was over at Mio's
place, and she told me the easy way to get here. So I was still in the same district, just closer to
the water." She moves to take a seat near the other two girls, and peers curiously at the homework.

"Your forgot your homework," she comments softly with a soft laugh as she looks towards the
ravenette. "Well that's a dumb thing to do. I'm not too bad with it, so I might be of some help.
Lucky it isn't science. Or cooking!"

She reaches out to take one of the cookies with a bright smile. "They smell really nice!" she
comments as she takes a small bite.

"Seems Niramo-chan is really popular!" she says in agreement to Fumiko. "Thankfully running into
you a second time is a lot less painful than the first. Though I'd suggest talking with people
instead of running into them. Though if you borrow Mio, she'd happily help you meet new people that
way."

She leans in, considering the homework and then looks between the two other girls, and then points
at one of the symbols with her free ahdn. "What's that one meant to mean?" she asks softly. "I-I've
forgot."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo whistles softly in apprication of Fumiko's lightning fast grab and she gives a thumbs up as
the brown-haired girl appricates her early morning efforts. "Beats store bought cookies any day,
though it took a little preperations to make sure they were done this morning."

Fumiko gives a wonderful distraction away from the math drills by making her feel embarrased from
just having a friend over. "Oooh, a dark contract now, is it? Crafted from forbidden forges in the
fires of Despair Mountain, all the better to stand strong against the test of time."

"N-not intentionally! I did everything else early, even the essay on the French Revolution I had to
do. This just kinda fell through the cracks..." Niramo stares down at the last page of the dreaded
math, knowing how bad the excuse sounded to her, and she was the one telling it. "...though I wish I
had a pet dog so I have an good way not to do it."

Niramo winces slightly as she imagines a head on collision between Ai and Fumiko, and with Mio in
the mix... "Try to wear a helmet next time you do so, Fumiko-chan? I'm just glad I didn't bump into
Ai-chan when we first met. No offense, but...you might just run me over and think it was a speed
bump."

Sighing softly as she manages to work out a passable answer, she moves onto the next problem, one of
those about halfway down and looked much more complicated than anything in the book. Niramo squints
slightly just to make sure she was seeing it right. "It's not a Pi symbol...I think it's Cosine? No,
it's Tangent!...uh...wait, no..." The more she secondguesses herself, the more Niramo confuses
herself on what it means. Surely she could say that she overlooked it?

Niramo glances around for a chance to distract herself from the confusing mess of symbols and
numbers and recalls something Ai mentioned earlier. "You have trouble with cooking, Ai-san? I know I
mentioned it before, but I really wouldn't mind coaching you through how to make simple meals after
school. As long as you know not to add chili powder to pancake batter, i'm sure you'll be fine!"

Niramo laughs softly at the mention of these bizarre cooking ingredients, but her eyes start to
glaze over as if she's remembering some tragic accident she was witness to. Surely no one actually
mixed the two...right?

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"These sure do beat store bought! Though maybe they shouldn't." Fumiko smiles but looks
thoughtful. "Have you... ever considered becoming a professional baker? Your shop would have a ten
kilometer line!"

Fumiko chuckles darkly about the friendship pact of doom. "Of course, an ironclad contract
of friendship that is protected by mysterious and monstrous forces, so that not even homework can
destroy it! AAAHAHAHAHA!" Her evil cackles were accompanied by exaggerated evil gestures (but not by
ominous thunder, surprisingly).

Fumiko shakes her head at Niramo's teasing. "Tell that to Mio. She would've found a way to
make my helmet vanish or turn into cookies, somehow. I'm not entirely sure she's human." And then a
short joke. "A speed bump? You aren't THAT short. You aren't a complete small fry that makes ants
look like giants and could live in a mouse hole. Why would you say that?"

"Ugh... that guy." Fumiko seems to have a grudge specifically against that math symbol. "I
don't like him. He steals from orphanages or something. He always attempts to eat my soul."

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

With talk of dark contracts, Despair Mountain and other things, Ai just looks between Niramo and
Fumiko with a confused look. However she doesn't comment on it, waiting until Niramo's idea of a dog
eating her homework comes up. "You could get a dog, or you could join the Juuban swim team, get
really good and then you have a reason for your entire bag to get wet after it accidentally fell
into the shower," Ai comments with a laugh. "Though everything inside also has to get wet for it to
work. Just... Uh, take your uniform out first when you do it." She laughs softly. "N-Not that I
would do anything like that."

Ai pokes her tongue out at the comment about Niramo being a speed bump. She shakes her head and
laughs. "No I wouldn't have done!" She trails off as Fumiko delivers the short joke, and starts to
laugh. "And here I was going to make a joke about first year school students being taller than
Niramouse."

Her attention shifts back towards the maths homework again. "Oh, Mio would find a way. If only she
could put her abilities to good instead of evil." She takes a deep breath and then sighs. "Is that
symbol the square root one?" She finally glances towards Niramo again and gives a little shrug. "I
do. I can boil crab and prepare fish, but that's about it. Oh, and, uh, thanks, but I'll be busy
once club starts again. I'm trying for swim team captain this year, so I won't have much time."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo ponders over the suggestion for several seconds before she shakes her head. "Uh, not really?
I started teaching myself how to cook sort of a way to get closer to my mom, and I don't think i'm -
that- good. She has a small resturant she runs but her catering service is what she's known for."
Niramo reaches over for one of her cookies and takes a bite out of the faux cupcake. "I have a lot
to learn, but baking is what i'm best at."

Niramo's giggles clash with Fumiko's diabolical laughter, unable to put any dark thoughts to twist
it despite trying. The offer to join the swim team has the ravenette give a coy smile towards Ai.
"I'm sure i'm not that good at swimming just to try joining the team like that, Ai-chan. But you do
have several good points...though I hope not from experience, right?"

Fumiko takes the short joke she made and makes a mountain out of it! "Exactly! I'm nowhere near that
short! And I thought I was the one who had a wild imagination." Niramo poses with her hands on her
hips in playful indignation before she looks away from the duo with a mild blush. "...but I have
been mistaken for an elementry school student a few times."

Not even Ai seems to be able to handle Mio? That's a thought more terrifying than any monster. "Any
incident that has Mio-san involved is known as an act of Mio, and should be avoided as much as
possible." And Ai thinks it looks like another symbol?!

With a sigh, Niramo scribbles down an answer that she thinks might be what the problem is asking
for. Just accept it as a lost cause and move on! "And that's fine, but if we ever have any free
time, my offer still stands. For you too, Fumiko-chan, if you ever want to try opening a bakery of
your own."

Next to the guessed answer, Niramo quickly scribbles a jail with that mysterious symbol behind a set
of bars. Maybe she might get partial credit?

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"You may have a lot to learn," Fumiko says between bites, "but you are already really good.
Imagine what you will be like once you DO learn all that baking knowledge and practice all those
advanced baking skills!" She looks at the plate of cookies, and smiles. "You know, those don't just
taste good, they're really cute." She takes another 'cupcake'. "They're adorable!"

At first, Fumiko is happy with Niramo's reaction, until she sees actual embarrassment?
"I... find that hard to believe that you were mistaken for an elementary student. At least not by
anyone with more than half a brain. Sure you're a little short, but... um..." She fumbles around
looking for the right words, but then surrenders to her failure. "Uh... you know. Whatever.
Anyways..."

Anyways... math. And despair. And distraction from those in the form of an offer. "I'd love
to learn how to bake from you Niramo... and with you, Ai. That sounds like a lot of fun! And...
gives me an excuse to hang out with you, and some structure for me to 'do the friendship thing'
without getting too lost."

"And I didn't know you were an amazing crimefighter, Niramo! Are you a superhero?" A pause.
"You caught the worst criminal ever, I mean," Fumiko adds, pointing to Niramo's doodle.

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Ai just kind of stares blankly at the question asked about self experience and shakes her head. "N
-no, of-Of course not! Well, okay, that's what I first did when I first joined the swim team. I was
close to being a delinquent after my first school shut down." She glances away when she admits that.

She then giggles at Niramo's blush, and grins. "Awww. You're adorable, Niramo-chan. I agree with
Fumiko-chan. I don't know how they'd mistake you for an elementry school student. Unless you've worn
your old uniform."

"And Mio isn't that bad. Usually," she admits as she finally gets around to her cookie. "And sure,
let's do that sometime when we have time! It'd be fun! I promise not to mistake the curry powder for
flour, too!"

2020-06-13 - School Looms On The Horizon

2020-06-17T21:59:27Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: School Looms On The Horizon'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Niramo and Fumiko meet up to discuss what happened for the both of them over the summer. Plans for to deal with last minute procrastination is made and Fumiko has a suspicion confirmed.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Game Center Crown
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
6/13/2020 - 9/5/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Game Center Crown +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
A blue sign with bright yellow and pink lettering announces the name of this
arcade, which is nestled in the bottom story of a tall white building,
emitting cheerful chiptunes and the chirps of digital battle onto the
street. The spacious room, painted in friendly pastels, is host to rows of
arcade games, all under the watchful eye of an attendant at a semicircular
counter in the back. Most of the games are aging, albeit gracefully, but
there are a few newer cabinets, including the very popular Sailor V game.

Most are controlled with buttons and joysticks, but there are a few equipped
with plastic guns, steering wheels with seating, or mini motorcycles, and of
course the ubiquitous Dance Dance Revolution station. Near the window, there
are a few crane games heaped with cheap stuffed toys, sometimes including
reproductions of whatever magical girl is making the rounds in the media
currently.

The Furuhata family runs this arcade, and their son, Motoki, works here
often. They also own the cafe right upstairs, called Fruits Parlor Crown,
where Motoki's younger sister Unazuki works as a waitress. Fruits Parlor
does a brisk business off arcade customers, and the arcade itself has a
perpetually sticky carpet due to the desserts and drinks brought from
upstairs.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The month of September can be misleading to some, as there are those that picture the month as the
beginning of the fall season. When the mind think of the season, it's likely to picture cooler
tempatures, shorter days and the changing color of leaves as trees prepare for the winter months
ahead. With it only being the beginning of September, however, the full strength of the summer sun
overhead is quick to banish these mental illusions. There are some things that the high tempatures
can not keep away forever, though...

Niramo Umokeshi gives the burger on the tray before her a half interested look, thoughts of other
matters clearly on her mind. The burger isn't to blame for this, being finely crafted by the
resturant staff in the upper floor of the Game Center Crown, nor is her friend at fault either. "I
can't believe this is the last weekend before school starts up again..." She's dressed in a dark
blue shirt and tan shorts and a red ribbon holding her ponytail, with her worn bookbag off to one
side of the booth.

With a desponant sigh, Niramo takes a bite out of the American sandwich before looking up across the
table. "Please tell me i'm not the only one who thought we had longer before it got here, Fumiko-
chan. Did you get a lot done this summer, at least?" Maybe Fumiko had some interesting stories about
her summer?

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Where had the summer gone? Time devoured it, leaving only too-short memories and the
looming threat of oblivion - er, school. It was inevitable, wasn't it? Time could not be stopped.

But perhaps Fumiko could slow it down. Time flies when you are having fun, but if you could
stretch out that time, take things at a leisurely pace, and not RUSH the fun... perhaps that could
make the fun feel longer.

And that is precisely why Fumiko is hanging out with Niramo at one of their favorite
hangouts - Game Center Crown - but taking her time eating her burger and savoring each bite. With a
simple white blouse and short-ish skirt, she was keeping it simple and cool, although soon it would
be too cold for that. "Yes... the last weekend... because school hasn't started the moment it ended.
Homework... perfect for taking school into your sanctuary away from school."

Fumiko sighs as well, taking small sips from her soda and tiny nibbles of her burger. "You
aren't the only one," she admits. "The summer seems to have ran away at full speed." As for what she
did? Youma fighting, training, and the like was not something she could talk about, and tense
situations at home, working on homework, and other 'fun' stuff was not something she WANTED to talk
about. "Erm... oh! I went to the beach a couple times... read some books... practiced gymnastics...
almost acted in a summer play... how about you?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chewing thoughfully on her burger, Niramo thinks back on all that she's been doing over the summer.
There was the obvious stuff that she couldn't talk about, like the attacks on Tokyo that she helped
fended off and all those late nights looking around the city from the rooftops and practicing, but
there were plenty that she did that was free to talk about as well.

Niramo motions with her right hand as she recalls the wonderful yet short summer memories of the
past. "Well, there was this big pie-eating contest I was in, though a few of those pies
were...questionable. Oh, and I been training with Ye-jin-san during the summer as well. I gotten
really good at practicing dancing! Other than that, I just hid away indoors and either read books or
played 'retro' video games. Got to do something when i'm home, after all."

Niramo takes another bite of her burger, starting to enjoy the flavour once more when something
Fumiko said catches her attention. "Wait, you practice gymnastics? That has to be pretty hard,
right?"

"Ugh, don't remind me about the homework. I'm just glad I did it...early..." Niramo trails off as
something about that statement doesn't seem to ring right with her. She did the essays and the
reading assignments, but wasn't there something else...? It takes a few moments as she recalls part
of the summer homework that she intentionally held off on, and now it was returning with a
revengence. "I...may have accidently forgotten to do the math drills."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It seems that Fumiko and Niramo have quite a bit in common for their Summer escapades...
more than each other realizes. However, there was more than enough to talk about. "Seems like we
both had quite a lot of fun, though it would've been more fun together. But... you know... things
happen. Can't always hang out with everyone you want to... even if it is the person you most want to
hang out with that gets left out."

Fumiko kind of hand-waves dismissively about the gymnastics. "Yeah, it is pretty hard I
suppose," she admits. "Though I can worry more about that once school actually starts." She
continues to slowly eat away at the hamburger. "What about dancing? That sounds fun yet difficult
too. Getting good?"

The talk of math homework curdles Fumiko's blood. "Oh. Ooh... right. Not... not a good
thing to leave until last. I got mine... done... already..." She trails off, but it seems like it is
for a different reason than Niramo. She suddenly has a mischievous glint in her eye. "Yes. How did
homework revision go? You made sure to double check your homework?" This innocent-sounding question,
despite how smoothly Fumiko tried to ask, sounds like it has landmines hidden under the surface.
Especially since she seems to be studying Niramo's face a bit closely.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

An earnest nod is the answer to the missed chances the two had during the summer. "Maybe so, but
we're making up for it now, after all. Maybe when there's a few days off at school we can go do
something? There's this indoor theme part that uses virtual technology for adventures. Maybe we can
go do it with just the two of us sometime."

Surely Fumiko would be better at it than Usagi. As nice as the Juuban high schooler is, she can be a
disaster when it comes to coordination. Pancakes come to mind...

"Oh, right. It's been difficult, it tires you out a lot more than you would think if you do it for a
while, and Ye-jin-san is a harsh but fair taskmistress, but it's still fun to do. A friend of mine
several months back got me over my hesitations on dancing, so i'm hoping I can surprise her if we
ever get into a dance club again." Now if only she could convince the physical education teachers at
Juuban to just let her do dance routines instead of running, she could finally do some exercise that
she enjoys. Running around on the track is so not for her.

Something about how Fumiko trails off seems slightly off to Niramo, and it causes the ravenette to
look up from her hamburger. It seems innocent enough, but the way she spokes reminds the short girl
of how several Ohtori students act when they want something done for them. But maybe this could work
out... "Well, I usually don't review my homework, actually. But how about this? If you want to come
over tonight or tomorrow and hang out while I finish my math assignment and you can double check the
rest. But!" Niramo holds up a dramatic finger and looks her friend in the eye. "Only if I get to
double check your homework first on the stuff I already did. That's my terms...oh, and I can make
snacks for us too."

She might be overthinking it, but if it's anything like her instincts are telling her, maybe the
thought of some free homecooked foods might give Fumiko something to work for.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko grins at the offer to hang out more. "Virtual technology adventures it is then! Whenever we
get a break. Let's just hope we aren't swamped with studying or something." Perhaps summer could
happen in autumn after all.

The grin only gets bigger at Niramo's talk about dancing. "Sounds like you might have a
talent you didn't know you had," Fumiko says... and there was no sarcasm or teasing in her voice
whatsoever. "I'm happy for you."

Was there any reaction when Fumiko asked about homework revision? Some hesitation, but...
not the kind Fumiko was looking for. No shock, more suspicion... and then she hears why. "O-oh...
you want to go over our homework together?" /Ah. She thinks I'm planning something. May be best to
go along with it./ "That... sounds like a plan. I'm... not a huge fan of math, but I am not bad at
it. Perhaps I can help... as long as we don't end up going into homework trance... from the sheer
mind-numbing effects of number overload."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko's off-handed remark earns a long-pained sigh from the ravenette. "I hope not. It seems like
the teachers love to give extra hard assignments after the summer break just to make sure our brains
didn't turn to mush." Social Studies seems to be the worst offender of the entire school when it
comes to that tactic, and Niramo can almost hear the homework building up from here.

The casual encouragement from Fumiko would seem normal to any outsider, but anything like that
without any careful teasing or twisting of words can be rare. It makes it feel all that much more
sincere for it, and Niramo blushes slightly with pleasure. "Really? I hope so. I...been searching
for something I been good at for a while, so hearing that means a lot. Thanks, Fumiko-chan."

"I mean, I think I double-checked it all just to make sure, but I was pretty tired that day. I
stayed up too late the night before playing a game, so I checked out of exhaustion-fueled paranoia.
I kept checking previous stuff I looked over because I thought I made a mistake when I corrected
something. I went to bed pretty early after that...and still forgot about my math." Even the mention
of looking over all that homework again causes a large yawn to escape the small girl, and she takes
a sip of her strawberry milkshake in an attempt to stave off the memory of fatigue.

"I'm not either, but we can just make sure that the teachers don't have any reasons to pick on us to
make sure. Or you can just be over while I finish it up, if you want. It's not often I have someone
over, and having someone to talk to might be what I need to triumph over all those numbers!"

Happy with the answers she gotten from Fumiko, Niramo seems to relax a little. She wasn't going to
let Fumiko try to copy her answers, but it seems that's nothing she has to worry about.
<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"I don't want my brain turned to mush," Fumiko admits, "but too much homework will ALSO do
that. Overstudying is a real thing... but I suppose understudying is too. We... will just have to
see what the teachers throw our way."

Fumiko's face lights up at Niramo's reaction to her encouragement. "You're welcome, Niramo
-chan. Although... you are good at a lot. Don't think that all you are good for is hitting the dance
floor, but I'm glad you are good at that too." After taking a sip of soda, she places a hand on
Niramo's shoulder. "Nobody is perfect at everything. It isn't healthy to try to be." She glances
away. "...believe me."

The homework thing confirms a theory - or at least adds some weight to it. "It seems like
we all got the homework bug. That happens on the last few days of break." Especially if someone is
using hypnotic homework on all the students. "But it is best to revise together when not a zombie
from lack of sleep. I'm happy to take you up on your offer. I'll help you with whatever you need
checked over... even math..."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Yeah, it's why I try to just look over that the homework covers, and it usually works out for the
best. My social studies class likes to cover stuff that's not in the text book, though...why would I
need to learn about the French Revolution? I doubt I would ever get a chance to go to Paris, after
all." Niramo seems to be missing the two important factors that those two are not exactly relevant
to one another...

Niramo shrugs her shoulder, not dismissing Fumiko but neither agreeing with her either. "It doesn't
really feel like it, honestly. The only other thing I seem to be good at is cooking, and I been
doing it for years. Honestly, I was worried that I wouldn't find anything else, so I been trying a
lot of different things. I'm just glad something finally stuck!"

The sidelong look from Fumiko gives the ravenette a slight pause, but she doesn't try to press on
the matter. Fumiko can be a little guarded about her life, but she's giving Niramo support. If the
time comes, she'll return the favor for her friend.

Niramo rapidly shakes her head, hearing the dread on that subject. "I won't force you to face that
beast that is math again for my sake, Fumiko-chan. Gah, and we came here to hide away from school,
not talk about it again. After we finish eating lunch, your next game is on me. I'm the one who
brought up what-shall-not-be-named, after all." This was a place of fun and recreation, not despair.
That's in two days, and the present is now, after all.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"The French Revolution is important," Fumiko jokes, "in case you need to spin around the
Eiffel Tower real fast. I'm joking, it is in case you want to know why all the nobles were losing
their heads over how revolting the peasants were." She gives a quiet giggle and a lopsided smile.
"Hope that helps!"

Perhaps it is not the best time to push Niramo further about what she's good at, Fumiko
thinks. After all, she already admitted that she is good at a couple things, that is an improvement.
Perhaps she should just let it go.

"Ah... how did we get talking about homework? I'm sorry!" She mock-panics, then eats a
little faster. "Yes, let's rock this arcade! And- " No... she couldn't let it go. "See... right
there are some more things you are good at. You are good at video games... and you are good at being
my friend."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The humor might be a bit dark, but it causes Niramo to giggle at her friend's joke regardless.
Fumiko does has an unique sense of humor, but it makes her stand out even more when she lets it
show. "It does, and makes more sense than all the long rants the teacher goes on sometimes. Ever
though about trying to be a teacher yourself, Fumiko-sensei?" She's not the only who can tease here.

She lets out a sigh as Fumiko seems to drop the subject, and she's glad for it. Niramo doesn't like
to burden others with her own self doubts, and it just happened to sneak out. Besides, with all the
talking going on, her burger was starting to get a little cold, and she couldn't let that happen!

"Nope, not your fault. It's the work of the dreaded overlord of the Boredom Empire, created to
absorb all the joy out of life!" It may be said in jest, but there might actually be a group like
that out there. "Let's make the most of what time we got left, after all. Have to stand tall in the
face of hardship, right?"

Fumiko's shift in tone is enough to stop Niramo from reaching to finish off her shake, but what the
short ravenette was expecting to be said wasn't that at all. Niramo's blush from earlier returns
stronger than before, and a hand reaches to tug on the end of her ponytail subconciously. "I,
uh...that's really nice of you to say, Fumiko-chan. Thank you. I'm really glad we're friends. I
can't imagine how life would be if I haven't met you, after all."

Niramo straights up and gives her friend a fond smile, a little smaller than her usual smile yet
brighter for it. "So really, thank you. I'm here for you if you ever need me, or even if you don't~"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"I've always felt that the best teachers I've ever had weren't the ones that knew the most,
or gave the most or least homework - especially not the ones that gave the MOST homework - but the
ones that actually made the subjects INTERESTING! We go to school to learn, not to memorize. Well,
some of us are there because we have to be." She then laughs at the idea of becoming a teacher.
"Haha... I don't know about that. Doesn't seem like my thing. I have no idea what I'd even teach."

Fumiko speeds up her eating by 200. Cold burgers and warm sodas are not ideal. "Oh no, not
the Boredom Empire! We better suit up in our Armored Fun Patrol Mechas! Or... something." She shakes
her head. Is she turning into some kind of nerdy goofball? Not sure her mom would approve, but it is
probably better than what she was. "Let's have fun while we can. Still some Summer left."

Fumiko smiles softly and nods slightly down. "You... are welcome. I'm glad we are friends
too. I'm... not good at making friends. I don't even know how. So I have no idea how I ended up
having an amazing best friend."

"And that's my line! You aren't going to get away from my friendship! Bwahahaha!" Fumiko
gestures evilly as she laughs maniacally. Oh no, is she secretly the Demon Queen of Friendship!?

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo raises up her cup in a toast towards Fumiko. "I agree! We may have to memorize all sorts of
facts, but it just makes it easy to forget it after we no longer need to answer it on an exam."
Tipping the cup back, she finishes up the last of her shake. It might have been impressive if there
wasn't a lot of it left. "And...maybe you could teach others on how to be more open to others? But
i'm not sure how homework would be assigned on that..."

The haphazard joke she made up on the spot gains an unexpected idea, and Niramo taps her chin in
thought. "Oooh, that sounds sort of like technology fighting against magic. It could make a great
short novel if done right, Fumiko-chan. And the arcade waits for us, after all!" But first, the last
of her lunch needs to be eaten. No part of her allowence will go to waste on her watch!

Niramo continues to smile at Fumiko and shakes her head. "That's because you focus on quality, not
quantity. A friend who's there to cheer you up is much better than fifty who like a picture of a cat
you share. But i'm not that amazing..."

Niramo looks up with faux-horror as the Demon Queen of Friendship makes herself known. "No, please
no! I guess I have no choice but endure your friendship until the end of time, then." Fumiko can do
the evil laughter surprisingly well...but then again, she did say she almost was in a play. "And
maybe you just have a natural acting talent that needs to come out too."

2020-03-12 - Tokyo Rhythm, Summertime Beat

2020-03-17T01:42:27Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Tokyo Rhythm, Summertime Beat'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Just because school is out for the summertime break doesn't mean practicing the art of dance should stop! With a little luck, these sessions turn into one on one practice sessions lead by the Dance Captain of Ohtori herself.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Ye-jin Song]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City Zone - Song Family Apartment
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
3/12/2020 - 8/13/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

L-let's begin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vU7R_TaWiE

Nestled in downtown Tokyo in the heart of Yamanote is a gleaming skyscraper, one of many that shines
in the heat of a blistering summer afternoon. In this building, beyond a pair of glass doors manned
at all hours by ever-vigilant doorman, past a lavish marble lobby, and up a golden elevator, are
homes of some of Tokyo's most rich and powerful. While many of Tokyo's apartment complexes are
cramped quarters and single rooms, this is a tower of palaces.

It is also the place which Niramo Umokeshi has been summoned.

Summer has been lazy for Ye-jin Song. With little Student Council work to do and instruction to
maintain a holding pattern in Tokyo-which she has mostly paid attention to-she's found herself with
an abundance of free time. Enough that when asked for summer dance lessons she had qualms about
offering a few private lessons. Especially when she's had no one from dance club to properly
practice with.

And so it's come to pass that she stands with Niramo in the spacious and extremely well air
-conditioned gym that occupies the same building as her grandfather's apartment. At mid-afternoon
the space is mostly empty, the treadmills abandoned and televisions shut off. Ye-jin is wearing a
familiar workout ensemble, hair pulled back into a tight ponytail.

She's also laid claim to the wooden-floored square of the room likely intended for yoga, and is most
likely breaking gym etiquette by blasting music from a set of speakers attached to the phone she's
left on the floor nearby.

"Too stiff." She says of Niramo's latest efforts. It's been at least an hour of instruction by now,
along with mandatory warm-up. "Like this, see?" Step, step, twist. "And then the other side." Step,
step, twist. The music is decidedly funky, laced with jazz and hip-hop. Ye-jin, despite Ohtori's
proud tradition, seems to have little desire to instruct in anything more classical.

Dancing, as she has said, is supposed to be fun.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

When Niramo has asked Ye-jin on the possibility of a few summer dance lessons, the outcome didn't
look clear to her. After all, the dance captain surely has plently of friends to spend idle summer
days with and responsibilities that the young Juubanite could only guess at. It was a chance to see
if maybe she could spend time with the kind Ohtorian and do something besides hide within cooled
interiors with the latest game in hand.

A pleasant surprise for sure when Ye-jin actually accepted, though. Maybe things wouldn't be so dull
this summer after all!

The first trip to a friend's house is always a little nervewracking. You could accidently get lost
when you read the directions wrong or the transit system can make you late when you did your best to
leave early.

The ultra fancy lobby for the apartment building is classy enough to make Niramo feel out of place
in her casual workout clothes, but it has to be the right place for one of Ohtori's upper crust.
"...that has to be faux gold paint or something. No way they would use real gold for just an
elevator."

Regardless if it was precious metals or not that the elevator is made out of, it's a smooth trip up
to the Song family apartments.

Before the workout started, Niramo took in the chance to sneak in quick glances at the large gym and
wonder mentally just how wealth Ye-jin did have in her family. This is a private workout studio
worthy of being used for an entire health club and it was just for one family?! At least the dance
captain isn't in the habit of flaunting her wealth too often around her.

Questions about just how rich a student has to be to go to Ohtori are quickly driven out of her
skull as the private session starts, and then a new appreciation is had for the wonders of modern
air conditioning.

Sucking in a slow and deep breath as Ye-jin demonstrates the correct movements for the set currently
being practiced for, Niramo wonders just how anyone can think that dancing is easy. It looks simple
and doesn't take any effort when a professional does it, but the time spent practicing with the
Ohtori dance captain shows that is all for show. "Right. I keep on wanting to overextend, but
practice makes perfect after all."

Sweeping her ponytail clear of her arms, Niramo moves back into the set with the 'funky fresh' beat.
Step. Step. Twist. "And thank you again for agreeing to help, Ye-jin-san. I tried practicing on my
own, but...I don't know, it's like I can't loosen up at all." Dancing differs a lot from P.E., and
in a good way.

Niramo may be a little winded and tired, but she's still sporting a large smile on her face.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

It can't be said that Ye-jin hasn't been doing her fair share of work. There's a thin sheen of sweat
on her forehead, and she repeats the same motions Niramo does. She's not smiling quite as much, but
she can't be having that bad of a time-even though she does do a lot of scowling during her
corrections. Given that Niramo has lived through Ye-jin in a bad mood, it's a fairly easy to tell
that she's not genuinely aggravated.

Ye-jin is also a fair taskmistress, in that after a few more slides and steps she announces
afterward: "O-K, break time." A few careful steps are taken to the nearby corner, where she leans
down to snatch up the bottle of water she'd taken from the small stack near the entrance. A hearty
swig is taken before the girl sinks down to sit cross-legged on the floor.

"You're doing better than before," She notes, "You'll get the hang of it eventually." This seems to
be something close to a genuine complement. Which can't go without the addition of: "You're lucky
you have me to teach you." The red haired girl gives her student a toothy smile.

A single finger stretches out to tap her phone, stopping the music temporarily. That same digit
turns to Niramo afterward, pointing accusingly. "Don't be slacking off because it's summer
vacation." The girl takes another drink from her bottle before she inquires: "What have you been
doing on break, anyway?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

After being around and knowing Ye-jin for these last several months, Niramo thinks she has a good
idea on when the dance captain is on the warpath. There's no extra stomp in her graceful steps, and
if there was real anger, there would be jerkiness that Ye-jin's natural grace couldn't hide. Sure,
there's a scowl or two, especially during a rather bad misstep Niramo didn't realize, but it's more
the attitude a mentor would have instead of a military drill sergeant who lost their weekend to
train recruits some more.

Takk likes watching weird documentaries online.

The announcement of a break a few months back would have Niramo collapsing right then and there to
the ground, but the steady on and off practice has helped her endurance. It's enough that she's able
to walk over to take a second water bottle normally and not like someone feeling like they're
wearing lead weights.

Taking a seat against the wall and stretching out her legs, Niramo's smile looks a bit more
confident at the near praise. "I'm sure I will. It's not something that comes to someone overnight,
after all." A mental reminder has Niramo take a shallow pull of water instead of trying to chug it
down. "I really am, Ye-jin-san. How many people can say they have the best dancer at Ohtori helping
them out?"

It's not an attempt to butter someone up if she feels like it's the truth, after all.

That accusing finger has Niramo feeling like she's suddendly on the stand of a major trial, eyebrows
raising in shock. "I'm not, i'm not! I can't depend on you if I don't put any effort myself, right?"

The question following up on the statement from the prosecution is more like something friends would
ask each other and Niramo gives a casual nod. "Working on a few backlogs and catching up with a
friend outside of the Sister Schools. Yuhira-san didn't get a scholorship she was hoping for to go
to Infinity, but she's not letting it get in the way of her trying to become a fashion designer.
And...playing with the thought of leaving the anime club at Juuban to have more time to practice
dancing, honestly."

A frown sneaks its' way onto Niramo's lips for a moment as she admits a conundrum she's been dealing
with during the whole of the summer break before she pushes it aside. "What have you been up to,
besides helping a girl with two left feet get a rhythm?"

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

"Not many." Ye-jin trills in response to Niramo's question, clearly pleased to be recognized for her
great efforts. It always helps when people agree with her. She can't help but puff up a little bit
with pride.

"Ok, good." The explanation given seems sufficient enough. She can tell that the smaller girl is
making improvement, with how much more sure her steps are. Niramo's shown she's dedicated enough, so
Ye-jin doesn't hassle her any further. For now, at least.

The dance captain extends an arm into the air, arching to the side in an easy stretch. She repeats
on the other side as she listens to Niramo chronicle her vacation thus far. It might appear for a
moment that she's more focused on stretching than listening, but her reply indicates that she's paid
enough attention to get the gist: "They must have a fashion a fashion club at Juuban, don't they?"

She rolls her neck next, a pleased smile touching the girl's lips as she adds: "Really?" This to
Niramo's consideration of joining dance club. Her hands clap together twice to indicate approval.
"You should," She continues, "You'll have more fun than sitting around on the couch, right?"

When asked about her own activity Ye-jin's lips thin into a pensive line. "I wanted to go to
Tatadohama with everyone else," She complains, a bitter edge tainting the words. Niramo will likely
be familiar with the name at least, a well-known beach in the Shizuoka prefecture, several hours to
the south. "But I'm stuck in Tokyo, and it's hot and boring." Which is likely the reason that she
was so eager to agree to dancing lessons.

The rest of Ye-jin's small bottle is finished in a final gulp. The plastic crinkles in protest as
her fingers clench into a fist around it. Clearly this-and perhaps other things-are not to her
liking. "I've just been staying around Harajuku. I've gone to a few shows, too. Summer Sonic is
coming up, I'll go to that too."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

A soft sigh of relief can be heard when her reasons are cross-examined and found without fault. She
wasn't lying about putting in the effort and practicing on her own, but the mere thought of slacking
off had given Ye-jin a commanding tone to her voice. Surely there wasn't any slackers in the Ohtori
dance club...

"It's kinda small and combined with the crafting club, and I have no doubt Yuhira-san would make all
sorts of amazing outfits if she did go to Juuban. She lives too far for her mom to feel comfortable,
so she has to go to one of the smaller schools. I have worn some of the dresses she makes at the
Ohtori balls I been too, though! I'm...kinda hopeless when it comes to fashion." The memory of a
rather large ballgown dress came vividly to mind. It had taken a week of constant texting before
'bigger isn't better' was accepted as acceptable criticism.

Of course it makes sense that the dance captain would approve of the idea of joining the dance club.
"Well, I did originally join the anime club just to practice drawing, but it hasn't really gone
anywhere. With how much I been improving with your help, I think I won't be a total embarrasment if
I try out now."

That explains why it only took Niramo asking to get some private lessons! Having to stay behind in
Tokyo because of...likely family reasons would make want to do something to pass the time. "I know
Tokyo Bay can be pretty crowded, but there's quiet sections that doesn't see a lot of visitors.
Steven-san lives out there and has a really great spot that would be perfect for friends to meet up
at." That's one of the worst problems with Tatadohama. Everyone goes there for the beach and you'll
be lucky to hear yourself think during your vacation.

The last of the chilled water is finished off with a content sigh, but Niramo's bottle is set aside
and spared the grisly fate of its' brethen. "That's the biggest music festival during the summer,
right? I've thought about checking it out before, but none of the friends I know are really into
music." Well...there's Steven's dad, but he was a retired one man band. He seems like the kind of
person who would complain that modern music was just noise.

Stretching both of her arms out in front of her, Niramo makes sure none of her muscles have
tightened up too much to need to do warm-ups again. "Well, i'm ready to get back to it if you are,
Ye-jin-san!"

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

"I know." Ye-jin says to Niramo's admission of fashion difficulties. "Weren't we going to fix your
hair?" They'd had the discussion previously about dying, after all. Apparently Ye-jin didn't
entirely forget.

The face the dance captain makes gives a good impression of what she thinks of Tokyo Bay, but
Niramo's mention of a less crowded spot does earn a speculative slant of her eyes. "Universe-san..."
She muses, her fingers ticking against her smooshed bottle. "Hmph. If you insist, Niramo-san, I'll
go with you." It doesn't sound like there's a lot of choice involved. "It better be a good spot,
though."

"Ye-jin rises to her feet once again after, head bobbing once. "I've never been to Summer Sonic, but
I hear it's a big deal here." She notes. "But it's about time."

Again, the music starts. Step the rhythm. Move to the rhythm. Slide to the rhythm...

2020-02-19 - If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

2020-03-17T01:41:38Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''If You Give A Mouse A Cookie'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Endo Naoki treats one of the allies that came to his aid at a local bakery and the two talk over afternoon dessert.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Endo Naoki]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Midori-ya Bakery
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2/19/2020 - 8/7/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The warm interior of the Midori-ya Bakery is inviting to many of its' clientele, a bakery that feels
homely and comforting to even first-timers that come through the doors. Dozens of fancily decorated
desserts tempt the eye of customers who may have only wanted a fresh cup of coffee to go, and the
potted plants spread throughout can give those with great imaginations that they were simply
relaxing outside in a park without having to suffer through the summer heat.

The best feature about the Midori-ya Bakery to some, though, is how reasonable its' prices are
compared to chain stores.

It was that last factor that finally let Niramo relent to Endo's requests to being treated for some
baked goods. It's one thing when you befriend those from Ohtori, knowing that the majority of them
have no issue paying outragous prices for admittedly amazing sugary delights, but when the offer
comes from a fellow Juubanite, Niramo knows that her own pockets aren't quite so bottomless.

"You know you don't have to do this for me, Endo-san. I can pay for myself, honest!" Niramo was
eyeing the display rack at the front counter even as she says this, one last feeble attempt to ease
her own guilt. Dressed in a pink t-shirt with gold trim on the sleeves, a pastel blue skirt that
came to her knees and her worn tennis shoes, the ravenette is dressed for the weather outside. Her
cloth messanger bag is hanging off one shoulder and a green ribbon is keeping her hair back in a
messy ponytail. "Besides...I really didn't mind helping with...you know."

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

In the days following the incident at the Aizawa household Endo Naoki has had a lot to think about.
Jail Scaglietti's revelation that he'd been behind both the events of the attack and nearly every
other tribulation that he and his friends have faced-as well as their fortunes-was a hard pill to
swallow. Hard enough, in fact, that Endo has set his mind to other things rather than worry about
the consequences of that revelation.

One of the things he's turned his mind to is making sure the rest of his allies are given their due
rewards. And since Sourisi agreed to help defend the Aizawa household, her reward is an all expenses
paid trip to Midori-ya. Endo figures she's small enough that she won't eat his entire savings.

Endo is likely headed to work after this meal, dressed in slacks and polo shirt. He looks like he
belongs in a convenience store, definitely. But right now he's more focused on the task at hand:
"It's fine." He assures his diminutive companion, scanning the row of treats. "Everyone appreciates
you helping us out." A pause, and he adds, "Besides, you had it pretty rough at the department
store, right? I guess I feel a little responsible--even if the thing that hit you isn't really
Fallen Stern. So order whatever you want, okay?" The boy offers a bright smile, making a short
gesture toward the display cases.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo waves aside Endo's compliment with a hand while taking it in stride. "I enjoy helping out,
even if things get messy and chaotic like that. I know I would feel really guilty if I had the
chance to help but didn't even try to assist in some way." Even after all these months since Niramo
first received her Miraculous, she still feels like she has a duty to upheld for being gifted such
power. "Besides, you did amazing, I should be returning the favor as well sometime!"

It's finally Niramo's chance to order and it takes the short ravenette a moment to get her order
right. If Endo did say it was fine, well...it'll be rude of her not to appricate it! "Hello! I'll
like to order a large milk, a slice of cinnamon cake, a slice of the strawberry and vanilla frosted
cake, a pasticcera...umm, the chocolate filled one, and a slice of apple pie!" There's a momentiary
pause before the ravenette recalls something she almost forgot. "Oh, and an oatmeal raisin cookie to
go, as well!" Takk deserves a huge reward as well, even if he couldn't enjoy it in public like she
could.

It's been a rough couple of days, honestly, even if Niramo doesn't try to let the stress show from
those days. The overwhelming power that those 'puppets' showed is frightening despite all that she
has gone through so far as Sourisi, and hearing Jail Scaglietti casually list off his involvement is
still something she's trying to process. The reminder of the last moments of her memory from the
battle of the Easter Department Store does bring a momentary wince, one that she mentally shakes off
later. "It wasn't your fault, Endo-san. It may have looked like Fallen Stern but it wasn't you after
all. Just...think it would really creep me out if I saw something that could do the same things as
me.

With a tray laden with food, Niramo is quick to find a empty table for the both of them, one that
gives them a little bit of privacy in the public store. "Besides, I should be asking you and Fallen
Stern if you're both okay. They got something from it--er, him, back at the store?" Setting her bag
off to the side and pulling aside the top, Niramo gives Takk the raisin cookie she knew the Kwami
would like and turns to face her own selection of baked goods. A sampling bite of each of her
desserts is tasted before the short girl focuses first on the cream-filled pasticcera.

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

Endo was probably not expecting Niramo to order quite so much. His head slowly tilts to the side as
her order continues to grow in length, until her request is finally complete. Endo considers after,
before adding: "I'll have a chocolate-chip cookie." Payment is made after, several bills handed over
before he follows after Niramo.

Once a table is selected Endo takes a seat, setting a small backpack of his own down. "It was
strange." He agrees to Niramo's mention of how creepy it must be to have a doppelganger. "It's still
out there somewhere, too...make sure to keep an eye out."

A pause is taken to consider as Endo carefully bits a chunk out of his cookie. He chews
thoughtfully, before nodding. "We're both okay. I guess we're better than we've been in a while." A
short smile is offered before he continues, "But, they took Stern's memories. To use them to
findsomething. I'm not sure what."

Endo's shoulders roll. "I'm not sure what to do next. I'm sure we'll all figure it out, though." He
gives this assurance, taking another bite before noting with a laugh: "You were really hungry, huh?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

A few nods in agreement meet Endo's request to keep an eye out, though that might also be in part to
the cinnamon cake that's being enjoyed. Niramo is doing an impressive job of balancing manners with
the speed needed to enjoy each piece of sugary confection quickly. A sip of milk to wash down the
bite before she speaks up. "Sure! I often do a quick patrol at night anyways, so if I see and hear
anything that might be related to that Dark Stern, i'll let you know as soon as possible."

A frown forms on the ravenette's lips and she pauses before her fork can start on the strawberry and
vanilla cake. "Yeah, whatever they want, it can't be anything good, especially if they had to
forcefully steal Fallen Stern's memories. I did ask one of them about why they would go to such
lengths during the last battle, but...I don't know. I get the feeling they were insulted for even
asking that, that I was stupid for not realizing something so simple to them."

The fact that a Device's memories could be stolen with such ease is not something Niramo didn't want
to focus on at the moment. This is the time for sweets and a well-earned reward, after all.

A double take between her half-cleared tray and Endo's own singular cookie is met with confusion at
first then embarrasment afterwards. A self-conscious giggle eases its' way out of Niramo as she rubs
the back of her neck. "J-just a little, yeah! I gotten a lot better about eating sweets since I met
Takk-san though. I originally taught myself how to cook just so I could have something sweet to
nibble on when I got home, actually."

The Kwami in question pokes his head over the lip of Niramo's bookbag to see if the coast is clear
before floating out into the open, using Niramo's body as a shield to prying eyes. Half of the
raisin cookie was held in his hands, the other half presumably already devoured. "It took me weeks
before I finally convinced her to stop trying to make anything that was even remotely unhealthy. In
fact, I had to hide the brown sugar on top of the fridge before she finally relented to making some
pasta."

Niramo gives the mouse Kwami a pout and folded her arms against her chest. "You didn't have to hide
the stepladder too, you know."

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

"They didn't seem very interested explaining." Endo replies to the mention of the puppeteering
devices. "Or very good at it, you're right." He acknowledges this with a nod as he nibbles at his
own cookie. "I think the only way we'll get answers is by finding their creator."

It's not happy news to think about, but he dismisses that soon enough. Instead there's a short laugh
at Niramo's embarrassment. "Well, sweets are good sometimes. And this is a special treat, so eat all
you want, I guess. Just pace yourself, or you might explode."

The appearance of the Kwami earns a brief look of surprise, but the mouse's assertions about
Niramo's eating habits bring another short laugh from Endo. "Aaah, really? You should try and eat
more healthy, Niramo-san." It's obvious that he's having a laugh at her expense-albeit a good-
natured one.

"But--actually--" His eyes fall on Takk then, "I never asked, but you're likea familiar, right?
Nanoha-san had a ferret. He's actually a human though. You're not...a human too, are you?" The boy
leans in conspiratorially.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It's an important matter to discuss and it does help talking it out with someone besides Takk. He's
great when you need someone to confide with and for someone else's point of view on what went on,
but the Kwami does occasionally dismiss something that would be of importance to another human.
"Yeah. It's going to take a while, but as long as everyone is determined and work together, i'm sure
we'll track him eventually. He just left us with a lot more questions than answers."

The mental image of popping from eating too many sweets is bizarre and hilarious enough to keep the
ravenette giggling, though its' more relaxed and at ease now. "Don't worry, I won't! With Takk-san
acting like my conscious and fitness coach, that won't happen anytime soon. I'll ask for a to-go box
and save the rest for tomorrow."

The side-eyed stare from Takk is pointedly ignored. Sweets are just as important as anything else in
the food pyramid. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be at the top.

Takk is caught off guard by Endo's question, but the Kwami laughs softly and shakes his oversized
head. "I'm not a human, but I can see why you would ask that. I'm a Kwami, a...divine spirit that
embodies an abstract idea or human emotion, like Creation or Destruction. I'm the Kwami of
Substitution, of replacing one object or being with another. I have no other form, otherwise it
would be much easier to experiment with the technology you humans make."

Niramo leans in with a fond smile on her face. "It's like being friends with a pocket-sized mad
scientist. I woke up one morning to find that he took my cell phone and a corkscrew and somehow made
a working microwave...that spoke in German."

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

"Aaah..." Endo makes a noise of (questionable) enlightenment at Takk's explanation of his nature.
The boy has to take a few moments to think about that, brows furrowing as he considers the concept
of Substitution, and why it is a mouse.

Niramo's explanation seems to make a little more sense. Endo nods affirmatively, a short sputter of
laughter at the predicament the girl describes. "Really? That sounds dangerous. I'm glad I don't
have to worry about Stern doing anything like that." Despite his issues, Fallen Stern has never
sabotaged a household appliance.

"You'll have to tell me more about how all that works later, Niramo-san. Maybe I can tell you about
Devices too." Endo finishes his cookie with a few last bites, wiping his mouth with a nearby napkin.
"There's really a lot of magic in the world, huh?" Which, he supposes, isn't something he should
complain about.

"For now though, enjoy the food!"

2020-02-19 - If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

2020-03-07T17:34:50Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''If You Give A Mouse A Cookie'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Endo Naoki treats one of the allies that came to his aid at a local bakery and the two talk over afternoon dessert.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Endo Naoki]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Midori-ya Bakery
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2/19/2020 - 8/12/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The warm interior of the Midori-ya Bakery is inviting to many of its' clientele, a bakery that feels
homely and comforting to even first-timers that come through the doors. Dozens of fancily decorated
desserts tempt the eye of customers who may have only wanted a fresh cup of coffee to go, and the
potted plants spread throughout can give those with great imaginations that they were simply
relaxing outside in a park without having to suffer through the summer heat.

The best feature about the Midori-ya Bakery to some, though, is how reasonable its' prices are
compared to chain stores.

It was that last factor that finally let Niramo relent to Endo's requests to being treated for some
baked goods. It's one thing when you befriend those from Ohtori, knowing that the majority of them
have no issue paying outragous prices for admittedly amazing sugary delights, but when the offer
comes from a fellow Juubanite, Niramo knows that her own pockets aren't quite so bottomless.

"You know you don't have to do this for me, Endo-san. I can pay for myself, honest!" Niramo was
eyeing the display rack at the front counter even as she says this, one last feeble attempt to ease
her own guilt. Dressed in a pink t-shirt with gold trim on the sleeves, a pastel blue skirt that
came to her knees and her worn tennis shoes, the ravenette is dressed for the weather outside. Her
cloth messanger bag is hanging off one shoulder and a green ribbon is keeping her hair back in a
messy ponytail. "Besides...I really didn't mind helping with...you know."

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

In the days following the incident at the Aizawa household Endo Naoki has had a lot to think about.
Jail Scaglietti's revelation that he'd been behind both the events of the attack and nearly every
other tribulation that he and his friends have faced-as well as their fortunes-was a hard pill to
swallow. Hard enough, in fact, that Endo has set his mind to other things rather than worry about
the consequences of that revelation.

One of the things he's turned his mind to is making sure the rest of his allies are given their due
rewards. And since Sourisi agreed to help defend the Aizawa household, her reward is an all expenses
paid trip to Midori-ya. Endo figures she's small enough that she won't eat his entire savings.

Endo is likely headed to work after this meal, dressed in slacks and polo shirt. He looks like he
belongs in a convenience store, definitely. But right now he's more focused on the task at hand:
"It's fine." He assures his diminutive companion, scanning the row of treats. "Everyone appreciates
you helping us out." A pause, and he adds, "Besides, you had it pretty rough at the department
store, right? I guess I feel a little responsible--even if the thing that hit you isn't really
Fallen Stern. So order whatever you want, okay?" The boy offers a bright smile, making a short
gesture toward the display cases.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Niramo waves aside Endo's compliment with a hand while taking it in stride. "I enjoy helping out,
even if things get messy and chaotic like that. I know I would feel really guilty if I had the
chance to help but didn't even try to assist in some way." Even after all these months since Niramo
first received her Miraculous, she still feels like she has a duty to upheld for being gifted such
power. "Besides, you did amazing, I should be returning the favor as well sometime!"

It's finally Niramo's chance to order and it takes the short ravenette a moment to get her order
right. If Endo did say it was fine, well...it'll be rude of her not to appricate it! "Hello! I'll
like to order a large milk, a slice of cinnamon cake, a slice of the strawberry and vanilla frosted
cake, a pasticcera...umm, the chocolate filled one, and a slice of apple pie!" There's a momentiary
pause before the ravenette recalls something she almost forgot. "Oh, and an oatmeal raisin cookie to
go, as well!" Takk deserves a huge reward as well, even if he couldn't enjoy it in public like she
could.

It's been a rough couple of days, honestly, even if Niramo doesn't try to let the stress show from
those days. The overwhelming power that those 'puppets' showed is frightening despite all that she
has gone through so far as Sourisi, and hearing Jail Scaglietti casually list off his involvement is
still something she's trying to process. The reminder of the last moments of her memory from the
battle of the Easter Department Store does bring a momentary wince, one that she mentally shakes off
later. "It wasn't your fault, Endo-san. It may have looked like Fallen Stern but it wasn't you after
all. Just...think it would really creep me out if I saw something that could do the same things as
me.

With a tray laden with food, Niramo is quick to find a empty table for the both of them, one that
gives them a little bit of privacy in the public store. "Besides, I should be asking you and Fallen
Stern if you're both okay. They got something from it--er, him, back at the store?" Setting her bag
off to the side and pulling aside the top, Niramo gives Takk the raisin cookie she knew the Kwami
would like and turns to face her own selection of baked goods. A sampling bite of each of her
desserts is tasted before the short girl focuses first on the cream-filled pasticcera.

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

Endo was probably not expecting Niramo to order quite so much. His head slowly tilts to the side as
her order continues to grow in length, until her request is finally complete. Endo considers after,
before adding: "I'll have a chocolate-chip cookie." Payment is made after, several bills handed over
before he follows after Niramo.

Once a table is selected Endo takes a seat, setting a small backpack of his own down. "It was
strange." He agrees to Niramo's mention of how creepy it must be to have a doppelganger. "It's still
out there somewhere, too...make sure to keep an eye out."

A pause is taken to consider as Endo carefully bits a chunk out of his cookie. He chews
thoughtfully, before nodding. "We're both okay. I guess we're better than we've been in a while." A
short smile is offered before he continues, "But, they took Stern's memories. To use them to
findsomething. I'm not sure what."

Endo's shoulders roll. "I'm not sure what to do next. I'm sure we'll all figure it out, though." He
gives this assurance, taking another bite before noting with a laugh: "You were really hungry, huh?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

A few nods in agreement meet Endo's request to keep an eye out, though that might also be in part to
the cinnamon cake that's being enjoyed. Niramo is doing an impressive job of balancing manners with
the speed needed to enjoy each piece of sugary confection quickly. A sip of milk to wash down the
bite before she speaks up. "Sure! I often do a quick patrol at night anyways, so if I see and hear
anything that might be related to that Dark Stern, i'll let you know as soon as possible."

A frown forms on the ravenette's lips and she pauses before her fork can start on the strawberry and
vanilla cake. "Yeah, whatever they want, it can't be anything good, especially if they had to
forcefully steal Fallen Stern's memories. I did ask one of them about why they would go to such
lengths during the last battle, but...I don't know. I get the feeling they were insulted for even
asking that, that I was stupid for not realizing something so simple to them."

The fact that a Device's memories could be stolen with such ease is not something Niramo didn't want
to focus on at the moment. This is the time for sweets and a well-earned reward, after all.

A double take between her half-cleared tray and Endo's own singular cookie is met with confusion at
first then embarrasment afterwards. A self-conscious giggle eases its' way out of Niramo as she rubs
the back of her neck. "J-just a little, yeah! I gotten a lot better about eating sweets since I met
Takk-san though. I originally taught myself how to cook just so I could have something sweet to
nibble on when I got home, actually."

The Kwami in question pokes his head over the lip of Niramo's bookbag to see if the coast is clear
before floating out into the open, using Niramo's body as a shield to prying eyes. Half of the
raisin cookie was held in his hands, the other half presumably already devoured. "It took me weeks
before I finally convinced her to stop trying to make anything that was even remotely unhealthy. In
fact, I had to hide the brown sugar on top of the fridge before she finally relented to making some
pasta."

Niramo gives the mouse Kwami a pout and folded her arms against her chest. "You didn't have to hide
the stepladder too, you know."

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

"They didn't seem very interested explaining." Endo replies to the mention of the puppeteering
devices. "Or very good at it, you're right." He acknowledges this with a nod as he nibbles at his
own cookie. "I think the only way we'll get answers is by finding their creator."

It's not happy news to think about, but he dismisses that soon enough. Instead there's a short laugh
at Niramo's embarrassment. "Well, sweets are good sometimes. And this is a special treat, so eat all
you want, I guess. Just pace yourself, or you might explode."

The appearance of the Kwami earns a brief look of surprise, but the mouse's assertions about
Niramo's eating habits bring another short laugh from Endo. "Aaah, really? You should try and eat
more healthy, Niramo-san." It's obvious that he's having a laugh at her expense-albeit a good-
natured one.

"But--actually--" His eyes fall on Takk then, "I never asked, but you're likea familiar, right?
Nanoha-san had a ferret. He's actually a human though. You're not...a human too, are you?" The boy
leans in conspiratorially.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It's an important matter to discuss and it does help talking it out with someone besides Takk. He's
great when you need someone to confide with and for someone else's point of view on what went on,
but the Kwami does occasionally dismiss something that would be of importance to another human.
"Yeah. It's going to take a while, but as long as everyone is determined and work together, i'm sure
we'll track him eventually. He just left us with a lot more questions than answers."

The mental image of popping from eating too many sweets is bizarre and hilarious enough to keep the
ravenette giggling, though its' more relaxed and at ease now. "Don't worry, I won't! With Takk-san
acting like my conscious and fitness coach, that won't happen anytime soon. I'll ask for a to-go box
and save the rest for tomorrow."

The side-eyed stare from Takk is pointedly ignored. Sweets are just as important as anything else in
the food pyramid. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be at the top.

Takk is caught off guard by Endo's question, but the Kwami laughs softly and shakes his oversized
head. "I'm not a human, but I can see why you would ask that. I'm a Kwami, a...divine spirit that
embodies an abstract idea or human emotion, like Creation or Destruction. I'm the Kwami of
Substitution, of replacing one object or being with another. I have no other form, otherwise it
would be much easier to experiment with the technology you humans make."

Niramo leans in with a fond smile on her face. "It's like being friends with a pocket-sized mad
scientist. I woke up one morning to find that he took my cell phone and a corkscrew and somehow made
a working microwave...that spoke in German."

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (12)] has posed.

"Aaah..." Endo makes a noise of (questionable) enlightenment at Takk's explanation of his nature.
The boy has to take a few moments to think about that, brows furrowing as he considers the concept
of Substitution, and why it is a mouse.

Niramo's explanation seems to make a little more sense. Endo nods affirmatively, a short sputter of
laughter at the predicament the girl describes. "Really? That sounds dangerous. I'm glad I don't
have to worry about Stern doing anything like that." Despite his issues, Fallen Stern has never
sabotaged a household appliance.

"You'll have to tell me more about how all that works later, Niramo-san. Maybe I can tell you about
Devices too." Endo finishes his cookie with a few last bites, wiping his mouth with a nearby napkin.
"There's really a lot of magic in the world, huh?" Which, he supposes, isn't something he should
complain about.

"For now though, enjoy the food!"

2019-08-03 - Miraculous Meetup! Questions and Answers!

2019-08-05T23:41:01Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Miraculous Meetup! Questions and Answers!'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Serpentina Ruse defeats an Akuma Villain named Acrochimp by herself, but the Akuma is purified by the late arrival of Ladybug. This incident raises a few tough questions for the newest known Miraculous User in Tokyo, but tension is calmed and the group gets to know each other just a little better.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Adrien Agreste]], [[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Yamanote High City - Tokyo Tower
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
08-03-2019 - 06-20-2019
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Tokyo Tower +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
This television broadcast tower is also perhaps the most iconic building in
Japan. A lattice giant inspired by the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower looks much
like the French building, but has a more rounded, modern style, and is
painted in a red-orange tone. Bright white bands punctuate its height,
including one for the cylindrical observatory nestled near its peak. At
night, it lights up brilliantly: a cool white during the summer, a warm
orange for the cooler months, and various colors for special occasions. Once
the tallest building in the world, it remains, at 315 meters, the second
tallest in Japan, and is a popular tourist attraction.

Tokyo Tower straddles a four-story building aptly named FootTown, containing
museums, art galleries, and restaurants. Around its middle is the Main
Observatory, which contains a restaurant, a Shinto shrine, and a club for
live music. Near its peak is the Special Observatory, accessible for an
extra fee, which provides a spectacular 360 degree view of the urban
skyline.

Whether it be attributed to its iconic nature, its ability to transmit
long-range signals, or its sheer height, be warned: Tokyo Tower is a
frequent target for supernatural events.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

A butterfly flits out, finding its target.

Within his lair, Hawkmoth smiles, addressing the fury his familiar has found.

"Acrochimp. Your act deserved fame and glory, but you were relegated to the sidelines. Bring me the
Miraculouses, and I shall grant you the power to be top banana."

Distantly, there is agreement. Soon, there is turmoil.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The epic battle reaches a head. A green-clad fighter with an umbrella and a figure in red with a
flaming baton clash at Tokyo Tower. They leap over each other, flip and swing around the French-
inspired tower, and trade dodged blows with their respective weapons. It was like an acrobatic show.

In fact, the man in the red costume - which upon closer inspection is clearly ape inspired - was
once an acrobat. That is, until he was fired, and gave in to the darkness and despair in his heart.
At that moment, he was visited by a dark butterfly and a convincing voice, granting him power and a
new identity - Acrochimp.

Fighting against the new simian-themed menace, the girl in green-scaled costume is none other than
the rising hero Serpentina Ruse. Her umbrella more frequently meets air than baton or body as she
swings and thrusts it, but same for Acrochimp's baton. Soon, however, she decides to pull one final
gambit. Leaping back to the other side of the tower, she then launches herself into the air,
twisting and twirling... faster and faster... until - with her parasol pointed out in front - she
becomes like a drill flying towards the acrobat. She zooms past him, but turns sharply back.
Acrochimp has no choice but to block with his baton...

...Which is what Serpentina wanted.

A loud crack and a powerful shockwave later, and Serpentina is lying on the ground, quite some
distance away from her foe - now holding two halves of a baton with a butterfly escaping it.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Up and away flies a little blackened butterfly.

The man that was Acrochimp lies defeated, just now sitting up to blink away his confusion at what he
was doing and where he is. A baton broken alongside a promise to Hawkmoth, unhurt but unsure what
had just happened. He looks around, scratching his head much like the ape he briefly became, slowly
rising to try to make sense of his new surroundings. "What...happened to the stage?..."

That doesn't matter in the moment, though. The Akuma has been defeated, and the expression of its
power is fluttering away. Higher and higher, off to who knows where, trailing specks of malevolent
shadow-

-until something snaps it out of the air, like a swooping carnivorous insect.

"That's enough trouble from you, little Akuma. I'll deliver you from evil!"

Ladybug catches her yo-yo, a stern expression on her face. With one arm, she's clinging to the side
of Tokyo Tower, having just lashed out to catch the butterfly - and breathing heavily for someone
who's just arrived. Did she run the whole way, perhaps? Whatever the reason, she glowers at the yo-
yo for a moment before sighing, tapping it again to free a now brilliantly white butterfly.
"Farewell, little butterfly...at least you won't be back with company."

Releasing her grip on the tower, she slides down the support to land near Serpentina. A few steps to
approach, and she pauses before holding out a hand. "Serpentina, right? I hope you still have a few
minutes, because we really need to talk."

It's not long before she's standing on the roof of Tokyo Tower's observation deck, high enough to
see the city as a whole. Ladybug paces back and forth for a few moments, searching for words and
wondering where to begin - but finally looking toward her closest companion. "...do you want to try
explaining?"

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chat Noir leaps across the building tops, hoping to get there in time but his heart jumps as he
lands and spots the free butterfly. Yet, he breathes easier as his lady appear and catches the
butterfly.

He wipes the sweat off his forehead as he watches the butterfly be purified.

"That was a bit too close for comfort," he mutters before he jumps and lands beside Ladybug.

He glances to Serpentia and takes a bow.

"Pleasure to finally met you in the flesh or perhaps in the scales would be more fitting," he
offers a wink as he straightens. "We know you mean well taking it on your own, but..," he grasps his
chin, "how to put it delicately you have been missing a very vital step in fighting the akuma and
that is letting Ladybug catch the butterfly."

He glances to his other companions hoping one of them could continue.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi prides herself on being on the scene when a magical monster or villain threatens Tokyo. Be
it accidently being at ground zero, Takk keeping an ear out for anything she might have missed or
something too big to be ignored, Sourisi tends to be in the thick of most situations. So it's easy
to understand her shock to find out about an attack at Tokyo Tower from an acrobatic monkey armed
with a deadly baton while she's changing television channels at home.

A hurried call to Takk to finish his snack, making sure the front door is locked tight once more and
Sourisi is leaping out her bedroom window in a mad dash to the Tower. Who knows what kind of
mischief could be managed if she didn't get there to assist with the battle!

-----

A few minutes later finds Sourisi leaping off one last rooftop to get to the Tower grounds. It
doesn't look like too much chaos has been reaped, but the mouse girl is just a moment too late to
offer any assistance with the fight. Serpentina Ruse managed to break the baton of the aerodynamic
monkey and-- wait, was that an Akuma flying from it?! Panic starts to fill Sourisi as her eyes trace
its' path. If it gets away, then Tokyo will find it's next circus show coming to town too quick for
comfort.

Thankfully, Ladybug managed to arrive on the scene before the Akuma can fly away, and with an
impressive show of her cleansing yo-yo, the Akuma butterfly is purified and flies off with wings of
white. Running up to Ladybug and Serpentina, Sourisi's glad to see she's not the only one late to
the violent party. "Glad to see we can make the last show of the evening!" Though, from Ladybug's
words, it's clear tonight isn't going to end just yet...

The view up on the observation deck is amazing, and there's something different for looking out on
the cityscape when you're not behind glass. Sourisi gives the amazing view a lingering look before
turning away to talk to her fellow Miraculous Users. The fact that the scaly Serpentina is one as
well is still a little shocking yet obvious in hindsight.

"Those butterflies can turn their former victims into public menaces again if the dark magic isn't
cleansed from them. As much as Chat Noir or I would want to, Ladybug seems to be the only one who
can do the cleansing. Well, at least as known Miraculous Users go, anyways!"

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Victorious, Serpentina slowly rises to her feet. /Another person saved,/ she thinks, proud of
herself. But that pride was not long for this world. She accepts the offered hand allowing her to
stand up better. "Thanks... um... not sure how you know me, but I'm glad to be getting popular." She
shakes off the stun, and follows her to the top of the building. Soon after, she's surrounded by
other Miraculous Users.

"Explain what I'm doing?" Serpentina tilts her head slightly and raises an eyebrow under her mask.
"I'm not sure if you'd... oh, you seem to also be a Miraculous User! For the longest time I thought
I was alone! In fact, I was fighting Akumas alone! And now-"

That was not likely the answer anyone wanted to hear. The cat-themed user first tells her that
there was an order to doing things, then Sourisi explains further, and Serpentina goes blank.
"That... that sounds bad. You mean... I haven't been helping people? But... I was told I needed... I
needed to..."

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

During the explanations, Ladybug keeps pacing. Thoughts are racing through her head, driving her
feet on that back-and-forth path. She pauses, occasionally, sparing a quick glance to Chat or
Sourisi or Serpentina, but it's like something's hounding her the whole time.

Chat Noir is delicate. Sourisi's a little more direct. But neither quite sums up what's lurking at
the back of Ladybug's mind, and Serpentina's in a bit of a panic...

For once, the girl behind the mask doesn't catastrophize - she just sits down on the deck roof, legs
folded, in a sudden interrupting thump.

"It's not...entirely bad. Not entirely your fault. You should probably yell at your Kwami later for
not telling you, but - you've helped. There's just..." Ladybug waves at the air, as if trying to
catch the words that are buzzing around. "Cleanup. It's the cleanup afterward.

She sighs, looking to Chat for a moment's support, but trying to focus on Serpentina in the moment.
"I've been seeing the odd corrupted butterfly lately, slow enough that I could catch it - but I
wasn't sure if they were coming or going. I'm guessing you've been handling a few fights, off and
on? That...helps, honestly, it's just...I let a butterfly escape my first day."

Ladybug hunches over, arms around her midsection. "One mistake, and..." She trails off, lost in
memories.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chat Nori sucks the air through his teeth as he pats Ladybug's shoulder. "It wasn't all your fault
my lady. I should have fully listen to my Kwami more too."

He turns back to Serptina. "We all help, including you, in fighting the akuma BUT after a fight
ends the butterfly has to be purified by ladybug or else they could multiple and cause several more
at once."

He kneeled in front of her. "Did you hear about Stoneheart? Well, we made the mistake of letting
the butterfly go and it caused that..." he glances to his lady as he hesitate on the word to use
without causing her more guilt "well just a bit of a cat-tastrophe."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi's trying to keep it jovial, but a small part of her is concerned when Serpentina starts
explaining about her previous battles, and against Akuma villains as well. If she hadn't asked Takk
some pointed questions after seeing Ladybug and Chat Noir in action against Air Strike, she may have
gone off and made the same mistake as Serpentina has been making...

The Miraculous Ninja shakes her head softly as if she can shake off those thoughts and starts to tug
on the end of her braid. Yeah, it would be dealing taking care of the symptons of a disease without
trying to cure it.

Seeing the jovial Serpentina worried and almost having a panic attack, Sourisi tries to give her
some comfort. "Hey, the way I see it, if they do end up being re-possessed, you already know what
those Akuma are capable of and their tactics, so it should be easier fighting them again!" Knowing
your enemy and how to combat them means everything Serpentina has done isn't a waste, right? "And
now we know to be on the lookout for loose butterflies. Maybe a few jars to catch any strays for
Ladybug...?"

Could Akuma escape from normal jars or would enchanted ones be needed?

The mention about Stoneheart has Sourisi's ears perking up and she stops messing with the ends of
her raven hair as she gives the original Miraculous duo another look. Just because they been
protecting Tokyo a lot longer than Sourisi doesn't mean they didn't know what they were doing w
hen they first started either? Having multiple Stonehearts must have been bad if the looks shared
between Chat and Ladybug are anything to go by, and Sourisi can't let bad memories try to ruin the
mood.

"Just because mistakes were made doesn't mean you didn't learn anything from them, and everything
turned out well in the end, right?" Walking up to the others, she waves a hand around at the city.
"There's no giant boulders monsters taking over Tokyo and rocking the city to its' core, after all!"

The talk about mistakes brings a young boy to mind and a saying he's rather fond of. Serpentina
could use those words of wisdom right now. "A good friend of mine has some advice for moments like
this. Essentially, if everything always went perfectly the first time, life would be missing out on
other great things like...oh, the microwave! A scientist was messing with radio waves and ended up
finding an easy way to cook food."

Sourisi snaps her fingers when she manages to recall the story. Frozen dinners were not the
healthiest, but Sourisi has been finding apprication for the microwave after several late nights.

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

A few more hollow mutterings and a distant stare... and Serpentina breaks. She falls to her knees,
staring at an ornate bangle on her wrist. A mix of horror, despair, confusion... and anger fill her
near-glare. "Did... did you know about this?" She whispers. "Did you know... I was making things
worse?"

Before her negative emotions could seep into her very core, however, reassurances from Ladybug,
Chat Noir, and Sourisi snap her back to reality. "S-sorry... must fill you full of hope to see a
powerful ally such as myself show such wisdom and fortitude." She has recovered enough to at least
hold back a giggle at 'cat-astrophe' - poorly - and smile as Sourisi explains that making mistakes
happens and can lead to being better. There are still hints of tears in her eyes, however.

Serpentina tries to bolster her mood, or at least fake improvement. "I'm sure you have questions
for me, and I certainly have questions for all of you. If you want to know who I really am, though,
I'm not sure I'm ready to answer that one. Who should go first? I suppose you all already know each
other, and thus asking each other questions would be silly unless you just wanted an excuse to ask
something personal about one of your friends~"

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Ladybug stirs from her memories at the hand on her shoulder, a soft smile as she looks up at Chat.
"Maybe listen a bit more, kitten. Just a bit."

Sourisi's optimism, too, is infectious, and she slowly straightens up again. The mention of jars
brings a pensive look to her face, a mental memo filed for later, while the rest at least lets her
breathe a little more easily as the ninja tries to cheer up Serpentina.

There's a quirk of her eyebrow at 'powerful ally', and she starts to speak about the questions - but
laughs out a cough and coughs out a laugh instead. Holding up one hand, she tries to get the giggles
out before speaking properly.

"Sorry, sorry - it sounds like your Kwami at least got one message across. We all keep our
identities secret - I don't even know what kind of eyebrows Chat's hiding behind his mask." She
turns to the black-suited boy with a smirk. "It's a unibrow, isn't it?"

Back to Serpentina, though, she just shakes her head. "We've started working together while masked,
but....honestly it feels like I haven't been doing this long, at least compared to people like
Sailor Moon or the Wind Knight. We're all figuring this out, all trying to do our best."

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chat Noir grows quiet but his face brighten as the mood changes and he winks at Ladybug. "Ah, but
that is assuming that I have eyebrows" He waved a finger at her in a teasing manner. "You will never
learn about the red cat shape birth mark on my nose!"

He laughed as he looked to Serpentina. "We're all rather newbies to the to more 'veterans' but hey
at least we're learning together." He tucks his hands behind his head. "Fail for one is fun for
all!"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi is feeling like a huge weight is leaving her shoulders once the scaly parasol wielder is
able to relax after her near breakdown. And was that a smile at Chat's latest cat joke? That's three
pun lovers in the group now, and Ladybug is starting to get outnumbered. They'll convert her to the
pun side soon enough!

Serpentina's assuming that they all know each other beneath the mask is worthy of a slight frown,
but one she does her best to hide from the others. There were a few who knew who Sourisi was when
not fighting evil, but none of her closest allies are on that list. Takk assured her it was best to
keep everyone's identity hidden from each other, but tonight is a good example that they could call
each other if they just knew who everyone was.

Maybe it's something to try to reason with Takk later?

"Well, I do have one very important question. Do you like any desserts or cake? I think a 'welcome
to the team' present would be a good idea, and I wouldn't want to give you something you can't have.
You can have gulcose, right?" That was actually two questions but...well, they were related. It
should be fine!

Wait, Ladybug is still figuring things out? From some of the plans Sourisi has seen the polka-dotted
heroine pull off, Sourisi would think she's a professional magical girl! "I just look for something
that's obviously evil and smack it with my tonfa until it gives up. It's cheesy, but it works most
of the time!"

Sourisi gives her three friends a wink, glad everyone is starting to relax. Looks like Serpentina is
going to fit in with the others, at least!

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Levity... humor... this at first felt like a possible interrogation, but now with these elements,
this feels like friends hanging out. "Haha... so we're all in the same boat. Though with a cat, a
ladybug, a mouse, and a snake, maybe it is an ark?" She looks around, pondering questions. "Ladybug.
That purification power is unique to you, yes? Is that your main power? Cat. Do you always make such
hiss-sterical puns?" She turns to Sourisi. "Uh.. um... oh! Is it awkward being a mouse, when there's
a cat AND a snake now? You aren't afraid of me are you~?" She winks, then slyly looks back at
Ladybug and Chat Noir. "And a double person question... how long have you two been dating~?"

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It's all Ladybug can do to not groan loudly at Chat's joke; instead she just pinches the bridge of
her nose and does her best to hide any smile. Sourisi is upbeat, though, and has a fair question.
"Desserts? I probably shouldn't, I already have plenty, but I'll confess to a little bit of a sweet
tooth. Cupcakes or something would be fine."

She turns to give Serpentina an encouraging smile, even if it's a bit shaky as she mentions the
power. "I...don't know, honestly. It's something I have and Chat doesn't, so at least for now I try
to make sure I handle the cleanup. Usually I just rely on my Lucky Charm - some object that's
supposed to be the key to a plan that I'm usually left scrambling to figure out. I should tell you
about that time with the cat toy..."

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chat Noir snickers as he gives a little shrug. "It's a work in progress."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Serpentina opens the floor with several questions and a cleverly snuck-in pun, and the one sent
towards Sourisi is easily enough to handle. "I'm not too worried! Tom is a gentle furball who can
get the ball rolling, and you seem more eager to pulling me out of some hot water when I get in over
my head. Thanks again for that, by the way!"

Sourisi feels like she's missing something from Serpentina's question, but it's just a silly
question, right?

Ladybug answers the question about sweets with an ever sweeter answer, and the ninja mouse gives a
quick nod. "Then I guess i'll have to try making some cupcakes if I ever know we're all meeting up
somewhere. Beating up monsters and sugary snacks kinda go together, if you think about it."

It's not often that Ladybug is on the back foot, but the snake lady saves the best question for
last. Her blush is nearly atomic as she sputters out something that -might- be an no, and Sourisi's
laughter can be heard as Ladybug takes flight. She gives Chat Noir an aside glance before shaking
her head. "You'll be lucky to get the foundations set, Chat Noir."

<Pose Tracker> Serpentina Ruse [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Yeah... Peridot really rained on our parade, but I was glad to lend you an umbrella. Or
something." Serpentina smiles at Sourisi and leans on her parasol. "I'm also glad you were there to
help... and I was kiiinda wondering about this meeting happening sooner or later... just not at this
scale."

Looks like someone struck a nerve. The serpent gives a grin to the poor Ladybug as she stammers,
though that smile turns to a look of shock when she takes off. "...huh. I wasn't expecting that.
Hm... is she always like that?" She shrugs, and reaches up to wipe away tears. "Thank you both. Tell
Ladybug thanks for me too? And..."

She takes a couple steps toward Sourisi. A serious expression overtakes her face, as if she were on
an important mission, or about to deliver dire news "Strawberry."

She lets the word linger in the air for a few seconds, then elaborates. "Candy or cake, I like
anything strawberry. I take it that means we will meet again, and if so, perhaps... well... do we
here do anything fun when not in civilian forms? Assuming you have civilian forms. I know an
arcade..."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"Strawberries? Hmm...always wanted to see about trying to make cake with strawberry slices. I'll
give it a shot, then!" No fighting she has to do tonight, everyone knows to be on the lookout for
loose Akuma and everything is smoothed over. Pretty much a perfect evening! Sourisi starts walking
towards the edge to descend, but she has to say one last thing. "Arcades are always a blast, but
never waste money on crane games. They're totally rigged!"

And with a short hop, Sourisi leaps over the edge of the observation deck and to the streets of
Tokyo below.

She flushes a bit at Serpentina's question to Sourisi, wondering about that tone but not wanting to
butt in - and then flushes even more at the double-person question, for a very different reason.
"What?! That - you've got - not happening! Bug out!"

...and abruptly, like a little bug surprised by a sudden light, she's gone - leaping off the edge of
the roof, swinging away on her yo-yo.

2019-06-15 - Insert Coin For Friendship

2019-06-23T04:11:19Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Insert Coin For Friendship'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Two classmates spending time in an arcade for different reasons realize there's a bit more about each other than what they see in class.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi - Game Center Crown
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
6-15-2019 - 6-8-2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The Monday afternoon light filters in through the windows of the Game Crown Arcade, failing to brighten up the interior while meanwhile not allowing the interior of the room to be illuminated by lightbulbs and flashy game screens. The refrigerated air inside offers a safe haven from the building June heat, and with refreshments waiting upstairs for those able to ignore the siren song of electronic sound effects, the Crown is sure to be busy any day of the week.

Niramo Umokeshi came in just to listen to the siren song after her school day. Her grades have remained surprisingly steady these last few months, but Social Studies is always a struggle even when the ravenette is feeling completely rested, and of course there was a surprise quiz early this morning. Releasing some stress before she heads home and attempting to deal with the extra studying awaiting Niramo, and while it could be said that you can play video games at home just like at an arcade, the gaming hall is always unique.

And it would be a little hard to concentrate with the illusionary glare of her textbooks aimed at her back.

It's why the Juuban student can be found sitting in the plastic seat of a racing game cabinet, the sides plastered with colorful artwork of dish pans and rockets with grins chasing after a panicing T-Rex driving a go-kart. Dark green eyes focus entirely on the screen as her chosen character slowly starts to gain speed again, but the lay starts to gain speed again, but the last attack has left her too far behind now to make it to the top three. With a groan of disappointment, she leans back and relaxes as she fails to regain her position and lose her chance for a free race.

"Awww...the computer drivers need to be challenging, but they need to give you a chance to win..."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The powerful spaceship charges through space, decimating the alien army. The giant space wasps attempt to destroy the spacecraft, but it deftly dodges and fires upon its foes. Soon the fierce army returns fire with its expert squadron of penguins, but even then, they were no match for the valiant captain of the fighter ship. He pilots his ship into the giant bell, powering up, only to be crushed by a moai head.

"Mrgrgr..." The pilot behind the pilot, Fumiko, fumes as the game over screen appears. "That was my last credit..." The Juuban middle-schooler - obvious from her uniform - half-twirled away from her game in a huff, not bothering to enter her initials after scoring on the leaderboard. After all, it was second to the bottom.

As her eyes readjust to the lighting after having stared at the screen, Fumiko seems to notice a familiar person. She calmly walks over to a racing game, and stares over her classmate's shoulder. Once she loses, Fumiko smiles and shakes her head. "Aww... too bad! That could have gone a little better, but at least you didn't hide at the back of the pack and get last place."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Moping around isn't normally Niramo's way of dealing with failure. She oftens admits to her failure
and bounces back quickly, but today has been draining. Just a moment to close her eyes and relax
might be needed.

A moment is all Niramo gets before she hears someone comment from behind her and realizes she has an
audience. Jumping forward with a start and almost sticking her face to the monitor in front of her,
Niramo turns around and gives the watcher an annoyed frown before she catches herself. Isn't
it...Fumiko? Yes, it wasn't her fault that she was so caught off guard like that. "Eheh, you saw
that, right? I'm not doing as good as I usually do, but I still tried my best. That's what matters,
right?"

Standing out of her chair, Niramo grabs her worn brown bookbag and hoists it onto her shoulder. Her
middle school Juuban uniform is a little ruffled from her intense driving, but it's still looks
clean. "I'm glad to see i'm not the only one relaxing in the Crown today. Are you having luck in
your games, or running into bad luck too?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko holds back a loud laugh at Niramo's reaction. She doesn't stop herself from laughing - she
merely makes it a much quieter laugh, still audible but not going to grab the attention of the
entire arcade. "Sorry, I didn't think you had those kind of reactions... Um... Niramo I believe?"

Trying one's best is what matters? On the one hand, there is definitely merit to that. On the other
hand, results are important... no... this is just a game, these are just games for fun.

"What matters is not horribly crashing and burning at your best, and you managed to avoid that. But
was that REALLY your best? If so, that's pretty terrible." She scoffs once, almost like a cough. "I
don't mean how you did in the game. Not how you played, but HOW you played. Not... not that I've put
100% in today either," she finishes sheepishly.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Light traces of red bloom on Niramo's cheeks at the soft laughter, but it's nothing to take offense
at. She would likely have done the same thing if it was her in the other Juuban student's place.
Bowing her head slightly and with her ponytail bouncing with the movement, she smiles in greeting.
"That's correct! You're...um, Fumiko-san, right? I know that we haven't too much in class, but you
seem to be doing great today." Fumiko did seem to be a little quieter in class today, anyways. Maybe
there's something on her mind and that's why she's at the arcade?

Surprisingly Fumiko doesn't agree with how doing your best is all you need, and the pointed jab at
her miserable performance in the driving arcade is an insult. Niramo's smile falters a little, but
it didn't seem like to be mean spirited, at least. "We all have our off days and missteps, but we
can always improve, right? I might just give this a second shot, and it can be a joined game." So
Fumiko wants to know if that's really her best, even when she admits that she's not going all out
today either?

A second racing cabinet next to the first is just waiting a second player to join in, and Niramo
reaches into a small wallet (that's already lightened by earlier conquests of the machines) and
pulls out a 100 yen coin and holds it aloft. "I'll even pay for your game since i'm offering.
Besides, your 100% might not be in a space shooter game today!"

Now if only her 100% can make Social Studies easier to deal with!
+ooc Also, Fumiko? Do you use Discord? I was going to save a log of tonight, but i'm missing the
start of the scene now due to all that trouble.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"That is correct! You remember me? Huh." Fumiko seems quite surprised. She wasn't very much on the
radar, as of lately. Hopefully Niramo remembers only good things about her, as she has been trying
to build up a... better reputation than she might not have had once.

Her jabs at Niramo's attempts paid off! Fumiko grins wider, more energetic and fired up than she
ever is in class. "Ha! Perfect! You can't give up that easily! Maybe what you need is someone REAL-
oh."

She then blushes and looks away. "Look at me lose it like this... and I don't even have any more
money to take you on, sorry." Then Niramo offers to pay her game so they can challenge each other,
and Fumiko's face gets redder. "Y-you don't have to do that... I can't take money from someone like
that... that's yours..."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko is known for being a bit of a prankster and troublemaker in class, nothing major or dangerous
but it's been enough to warrant caution around her unless you end up a victim of one of her latest
pranks. Lately though, her not-so-harmless jokes have been coming less and less. Someone might feel
that it is the calm before the storm strikes, but to Niramo...it doesn't feel like that. Maybe her
classmate is trying to turn over a new leaf? It did throw Niramo off to meet her here at the arcade,
but this might be a good chance to see for herself!

Niramo does try to hide her competitive streak while around others, often saving it for in private
and being alone with Takk. Helping classmates and friends with their own progress is what she often
does. Every once in a while though, the need to prove herself to others does come out, and Fumiko
was flipping the switch! It's just an invitation to play a game, so it wouldn't be too harmful--

And just like that, Fumiko Inoue's attitude does an 180 degree turn and leaves Niramo blinking at
the taller Juuban girl, trying to recover. Offering to pay for someone's first game is something she
often does to break the ice with someone she meets at the arcade, but Fumiko was treating it like it
was a big deal. Was it a prank or was she trying to get something? But Niramo's offered first, so
that can't be it.

Then again, she doesn't remember Fumiko being friends with anyone, inside the classroom or all of
Juuban. Maybe this is something new for her?

Smiling gently, she steps forward and pushes the coin into Fumiko's hands. "It's not taking money if
i'm offering it first! I don't have to pay for the first game, but i'm going to do it anyways. Why?
It's a nice thing to do and maybe we can show this game how to race while we're having fun."
Stepping back, Niramo makes an exaggerated bowing motion with her hands towards the second console
and lets her smile morph into a full grin. "And if we're not feeling out best today, maybe we can do
it working together then?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko... was definitely not used to friendship. Last time she almost had a friend, she ruined
things big time. And accepting money feels wrong, like she's once again taking advantage of someone.
But...

Fumiko suddenly has her hand wrapped around a coin, and listening to Niramo's words. She nods
softly, her focus and resolve returning. "You make an excellent point. Besides, I'm helping by
giving you some REAL competition, not just poor AI compensating by cheating. I'll pay you back that
way. And maybe working together... that could be interesting too." She inserts the coin with a
satisfying click. "Just try to keep up," she teases.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Even as Niramo manages to convince Fumiko to join her for one race, a small part of her is looking
at her classmate and figuring out her reaction from earlier. Fumiko did seem rather embarrased by
how she might be taking money from Niramo, even when she offered it without any prompting. Did
something happened in the past or did the ravenette accidently bring up some bad memories?

With a mental shake of her head, Niramo jumps off that train of thought before it can go too much
further. Perhaps spending time around Kasagami and Ye-jin is starting to make her overthink things a
little.

Seeing the other Juuban student's fingers wrap around the coin and pluck it from her fingers brings
her back to reality. A corner of her mouth raises slightly in a smirk, and Niramo giggles as
Fumiko's drive comes back. Playing with others, be it electronic, board or physical games, Niramo
usually holds herself back so that everyone can have a good time. A gut feeling was telling Niramo
that if she trys that with Fumiko, she would likely get annoyed than anything else. It might be a
good idea to cut loose every once in a while!

"A computer ignoring the rules it sets for the player isn't a fair challenge for anyone, but that's
the idea with playing with another person. I like to see the AI try the same tricks with the both of
us racing each other." Sitting back down in the vancated blue chair, Niramo retrieves another 100
yen coin and sets her bookbag aside again. She stares at the screen for a moment before giving the
racing challenger a coy look. "And that's funny. Shouldn't you be trying to keep up with me?"

Win or lose, the upcoming race looks like it's going to be interesting.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

After recovering from her lapse in confidence, Fumiko was ready to accept Niramo's challenge. It is
only right to do so, after all. She can't back down just because of a little awkwardness. Her
confident, almost arrogant expression returns, real fire in her eyes. She isn't faking confidence or
competitiveness. She places her hands on the steering wheel and sits down, ready for action.

Fumiko nods at Niramo's words about the AI. "Let's break these bots," she replies. But Niramo's
ending retort elicits a tightening of her hands around the plastic steering wheel, and a half-joking
glare. "You think so, eh? Well... we'll see~"

Fumiko scans through the characters, and spots an odd sight. Is that a snake driving a go-kart?
Steering with its mouth? Would it be pressing the pedals with its tail? Fumiko knows who she has to
choose.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

A threatening glare breaks her composure, elicting a burst of giggles at Fumiko. The tightening of
the steering wheel isn't missed by dark green eyes, and it only makes it seem funnier to Niramo. Not
in a sort of threatening or joking manner, but just at the joy of it. After the day she's had today,
it feels more refreshing to laugh at their antics than any games have managed to do in the last
hour. "Oh no, Fumiko-san. I don't think so, I know so. As soon as your hands touched that steering
wheel, your fate was sealed."

Just for a moment, Niramo is able to keep a straight face before it's ruined by another burst of
soft laughter. Trying to be all mysterious just didn't fit her there! Just because she's not
planning on losing doesn't mean that she has to be completely serious as well.

Going through the character select menu this time, the ravenette quickly selects her usual choice by
now. The scarred biker mouse that would look more threatening if he wasn't trying to look
threatening in a racing kart two sizes too big for him. And Fumiko is picking the hot rod racing
snake? This couldn't be more of a mismatched duo about to compete with each other, but it's just how
silly this racing game is.

"May the karts be in our favor, Fumiko-san." Eyes flicker over to see what Fumiko's reaction before
they stare back at the screen. Now isn't the time to get distracted with making sure her classmate
is enjoying herself, the race is about to start!

"Ready!...Set!..."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Fumiko's eyes blaze, her comptetive spirit on fire as Niramo taunts her. Then her new racing rival
bursts out laughing quietly, and Fumiko herself can't hold back. "Well you... ha... you're going
to... fwaha... you're going to see how one can... ch-change her.. f-fate...fwahaha dang it!"

She quickly refocuses when choosing her character. And Niramo chooses... that one? Is this some
kind of backwards taunt, or did she not notice the significance of her choice? Either way, Fumiko is
not going to let it past.

"You sure a mouse is the best one to go up against a snake? Are you admitting you're my prey and
this race is mine~?" She flashes what she tries to make a menacing grin, but isn't quite that
intimidating.

In contrast, once Fumiko turns back to the screen, she goes almost completely blank. Only the
intense look in her eyes and the tight squeeze of the wheel give anything away.

"Ready..."

"Set..."

"GO!"

2019-06-15 - Insert Coin For Friendship

2019-06-23T02:17:04Z

Blasktin:

2019-06-15 - Insert Coin For Friendship

2019-06-23T01:36:27Z

2019-06-06 - I Gacha You Covered

2019-06-07T04:39:29Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: I Gacha You Covered'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Ye-jin Song requires the aid of someone versed in anime, and Niramo Umokeshi comes to mind.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Ye-jin Song]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Akihabara Electric Town
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
6-6-2019 - 6-6-2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Akihabara Electric Town +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Brave Akihabara, holy land of nerds, Akihabara of the cartoony signs and
gumball-machine colors. One can buy anything in Akihabara, as long as it is
computer gear, electronics or anime merchandise. The main strip is the
glitziest, with a large percentage of the visible building faces covered in
electronic signs, huge posters, or garish paint jobs, and there one can
purchase coveted new items at (or just a hair before) their street dates.
The streets to either side are home to a messier brand of store, where one
can, with a little luck and persistence, find used goods like that rare
out-of-print first edition Sailor V figurine or vanity press Pretty Cure
doujinshi. These smaller stores compete ferociously for space, and can be
found crammed into alleyways and spilling out onto sidewalks as well as in
more standard configuration.

Those whose tastes run more to programming than fandom can find the area,
also known as Akihabara Electric Town, quite rewarding as well. It's the
perfect place to shop for computer parts and other gadgets for projects both
personal and paranormal, with the venue ranging from a posh cutting-edge
robotics store on the main strip, to tiny stalls wedged into alleys that
sell high-grade electronics on the cheap. The latter category manage this
feat of thrift by selling unpackaged items taken from wholesale lots, and
piled up for display like supermarket apples.

It's relatively safe to be seen wearing unusual clothing here; it's likely
to be taken for cosplay, or the uniform of one of the diversely themed maid
cafes.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

Akihabara in the evenings is a busy place, all LED signs and streaming lights. Crowds hustle back
and forth, a rolling and churning wave of people that swarm in and out of the towering malls,
arcades, and restaurants that line the street. Gigantic anime characters plastered on billboards and
across the sides of buildings look down over the streets below, and standing too long on any corner
is an invitation to get accosted by touts waving coupons and advertisements.

It's through this mess that Ye-jin Song is preparing to wade, the wine-haired girl standing near the
front of Akihabara's subway station when Niramo arrives. She's dressed in a simple--though
doubtlessly expensive--ensemble, black jacket and airy red dress. After short greeting she expounds
on the short text message she sent to summon the younger girl to this shopping excursion:

"I was invited by the Anime Club to sit in later this week." She explains. Ohtori's Vice-President
has actually agreed to several things in the past few weeks, too distracted to do anything more than
give blanket stamps of approval to anything or anyone that's crossed her path. Waking up to a
separate reality has given her things to think about, but she had to get back to her duties
eventually.

"I don't really know what the ones I'm supposed to care about are," Ye-jin continues after a moment.
"I watch dramas, mostly. I need you to tell me what I should watch. And help me pick out things to
give them-you like figurines, don't you? You'd know more about buying them than anyone else I could
ask, Niramo-chan." Anyone she could hired to do it for her, at least.

"You like this sort of stuff, right?" She makes a vague sort of motion toward the electric city that
stretches out in front of them.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

When questioned on what her favorite part of Tokyo is, those asking Niramo might be surprised to
find out it's the electronic town of Akihabara. Despite her being vertically challenged, the crowded
streets of the shopping hub doesn't bother her in the slightest. Be it people watching, giving
company to Wakatsuki or searching for the best deal on the latest figurine, Akihabara has always
felt the most alive to Niramo. If the pavement of this otaku paradise were to suddendly empty out
overnight and without warning, then there is something clearly wrong with Tokyo as a whole.

When Niramo received a text message from Ye-jin requesting (demanding) her presence there, it didn't
take much for her to jump at the chance. Sure, she did somehow manged to get the limited edition
figurine of Detective Loveline in a yellow rainjacket only a day ago, but window shopping never
hurt!

Stepping above ground and taking a deep breath of the city air, Niramo looks like a regular in a
pair of fitted jeans and a 'vintage' faded shirt with a blocky blue-haired samurai on the front.
Looking around her, she spots Ye-jin from a distance and waves a carefree hand above her head before
running over. "I hope I didn't make you wait too long, Ye-jin-san. The trains were a little delayed
this afternoon!"

Ye-jin explains the problem, and Niramo gives a soft 'hmm' as the Ohtori Dance Captain explains her
situation. "So, you essentially need a crash course in the more mainstream series as well as picking
up ideal gifts, right? Um...right, the Anime Club has more boys in it than girls, so a few primers
on shounen anime like Twelve Piece and Slayer Vs Slayer might be good, and maybe a shoujo anime as
well." Niramo ticks off on each each count with one hand, keeping track of everything.

"As for the figurines? Uh, I think if you want good gifts, there's the mystery box figurines, where
you don't know what's in the box, and no one can complain about not getting the good ones if they
choose themselves, right?" She wouldn't need to be hired by Ye-jin to give this advice, and she
might be hearing the same thing if she had. After all, it's only natural to wanting to help your
friends succeed at what they want to do, right?

The personal question from the Akihabara tourist is answered with a swift nod, the loose ponytail
keeping raven hairs contained from the movement. "Yep! I try to visit at least once a week, since
the merchandise is always changing here and the only thing that stays the same is the stores
themselves. Akihabara is just about as busy as Shibuya, and have more of a personality, if that
makes sense." Flicking her eyes away from her new friend, she takes in the sight of the crowd with
dark green eyes and lets out a content sigh.

Even if it's not exactly the reality she's familiar with, it's still the same town she loves.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

Ye-jin gives a slow nod of her head as the other girl gives her suggestions. The Ohtori girl's lips
purse as she considers, asking, "Are they boring?" She must assume they are, as she doesn't look
particularly happy with this information that she's specifically after. "Which one do you like? I'll
just watch that one, you'd know better." She does at least trust Niramo to have good taste in her
respective field.

Her face does brighten a touch at Niramo's suggestion of mystery boxes. "Oh, that's smart, Niramo
-chan." A short nod of approval is made. "Where do you buy those? Show me." Her hand wobbles in the
direction ahead, indicating the smaller girl to take the lead.

"Does it, though?" She asks of Akihabara's personality in comparison to Shibuya, one finger touching
thoughtfully under her chin. "If you want to buy a computer, maybe. What if you want to buy clothes
that aren't a costume, though? Do they even have a LUSH here?"

There's a titter of amusement that comes with the last question, as if to emphasize how preposterous
the lack of a place to buy bath bombs would be.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The simple question from Ye-jin doesn't quite have a simple answer. "I mean...if you like non stop
action? I like shows that focus more of mystery or are more focused on plot, but I tend to get
overruled due to popularity. They just need to expand their horizans and realize what they're
missing, that's all! And as strange as it sounds, the show where the main character is a traveling
barbarian detective is one I completely recommend." And when real life has battles just as crazy as
some anime, they tend to lose their charm.

Giving a quick and playful bow to Ye-jin, Niramo starts to lead the way through the crowds of
people, a dimunitive guide with a destination clearly set in mind. It takes a few minutes, plenty of
time for idle chitchat about schoolwork and a life beyond homework, and it feels pretty natural to
the young girl. She may not have known Ye-jin for too long, but Niramo is starting to get a feel for
member of the student council member beyond the pleasant mask she wears. Students from Ohtori are
just as normal as anyone else, after all.

Some of the biggest stores are ignored for one reason or another only known to Niramo as they make
their way, with one store with several plastic statues of grinning, posing pop culture icons in the
display window being the station for otakus. "This store here has the biggest selection for the
mystery boxes, and even have some show figurines I never heard of before!" Niramo waves her hand
towards one shelf, motioning to row after row of brightly decorated boxes and gaudy displays.

Niramo smiles at the taller girl and nods her head, conceeding the point but isn't just about to
give up just yet. "Maybe if you're just shopping, but I seen people try out all sorts of cosplay
outfits and other outfits that might not be so popular in Shibuya. It's like a catwalk and a fashion
battleground over there, and...I...don't exactly have the best fashion sense."

Rather than look depressed about admitting it, Niramo just shrugs her shoulders and motions with a
hand between them, focusing on the contrast on just how different their clothing looks from one
another.

Niramo giggles at the thought and rolls her eyes. "And that's why Akihabara isn't the best at
everything, i'm sad to admit. Maybe one day, but today isn't that day!"

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

Ye-jin is content to be led, following Niramo through the crowded streets. She does her best to stay
in close proximity for the trip, eyes occasionally wandering to take in the buildings that they
pass. While one or two might strike her interest, she seems eventually satisfied with the shop that
they end up at.

When Niramo points out the boxes Ye-jin takes a step over, reaching to pick one up and lean close to
inspect it. It's unclear what she's looking for--or if she'd even know herself--but it seems to pass
muster, since she nods shorty after.

When the topic winds back around to fashion, Ye-jin turns to squint at her small friend. "You don't,
do you?" She asks, when Niramo professes her inexperience. It is, like most things she says, more of
an observation than deliberate attempt at malice. "We can fix that." Her tone indicates this may not
be a cooperative decision. "I was just thinking, you're so short, you need something to stand out.
Have you thought about dying your hair?"

The girl from Ohtori is already taking handfuls of boxes as she speaks, pulling them off the shelves
and offering them to her small companion to carry. Apparently she's going to need a stack.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

With how particular Ye-jin can be with what she purchases, Niramo was afraid that perhaps these
figurines might not be up to her high bar of quality. That would leave the resin figurines which
could easily cost into the tens of thousands of yen, and that's not something the Ohtori student
might spring for, no matter how wealthy she might be. Thankfully, those fears are ungrounded with a
satisified nod, and a shallow sigh of relief leaves her lips.

But she might have relaxed just a little too soon. A critical eye focuses on Niramo and her choice
in relaxed clothing, and the diminutive girl tenses up, just a smidge. "I-I wouldn't want to be a
bother, Ye-jin-san! You got so much on your plate to worry about besides me, i'm sure. Anyways, i'm
here to help you, right?" First Yuhira, then Marinette is showing an interest if she was for Ao or
Aka, now Ye-jin wanted to help? Does she have some sort of aura that says "i'm a fashion disaster,
please save me"?

Niramo is quick to start piling up the sealed boxes in her arms haphazardly, already wishing she
picked up a basket for larger purchases. Ye-jin is picking out quite a few, and the last question
coming from her has Niramo blinking owlishly for a moment before readjusting her arms.

"Dying my hair? I mean...the thought has come across my mind once or twice, but I like it long, and
it would require a lot of dye to change that, and hair as dark as mine can be troublesome to dye
properly...it seems like it would be too big of a hassle!" All valid reasons to be sure, but Niramo
doesn't seem to be against the thought as much as a complete fashion makeover. She doesn't need to
make a statement as soon as she walks into a room, that belongs to people that can pull it off like
Kasagami.

She's just Niramo Umokeshi.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

"You've been helpful," Ye-jin assures her companion as the stack of boxes grows ever taller. "So
I'll pay you back. Next time we'll go shopping in Shibuya. Or Harajuku, that might be better. We
could get you...a big bow." She muses a moment more before her stacking finally stops.

"This should be enough." Ye-jin decides. She's not carrying them, of course, merely directing Niramo
up toward the front. On the way she continues, "Dying it wouldn't be a big deal. You could just do a
little too, not all of it. A dark color. Which one?" Ye-jin continues her musing even a she boxes
are hauled up to the counter.

"I'll think of something."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

With all the boxes in her arms, Niramo's view of her patron is blocked completely and walled off
with different sides of several dozen boxes. Maybe she should have recommended keychains instead?
It's what everyone usually does, and far less obstructive! Ye-jin might be offering just the bow to
put her at ease and lull her into a full-blown fashion makeover, but...a bow might be better than a
scrunchie for her hair, right? "Well...okay, I think I can deal with that."

Depending on Ye-jin's voice to make her way to the front, she has to listen as the Ohtori student
reasons out a way to dye her hair as well, if only partially. "You mean highlights?...well, dark
green has always been one of my favorite colors, and dark blue as well. I guess those colors might
clash too much, though..."

Ye-jin only says four simple words as she finishes helping Niramo unload her burden of cardboard
boxes and plastic figurines, but it sends a slight shiver down her spine all the same. Ohtori
doesn't do things simple, Yuhira tends to go with elegance over something actually pratical, and
Marinette can be quite...creative, if her culinary choices are any indication. With friends both new
and old, Niramo has a feeling she's going to be dragged into the fashion world kicking and
screaming.

2019-04-03 - TIMELINE X: One Secret Too Many

2019-04-04T03:55:42Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Timeline X: One Secret Too Many'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Chat Noir has betrayed Ladybug and Sourisi to team up with Hawk Moth, figuring out the truth of the man behind all the Akuma and spurned by Ladybug and her secrets. A week later he is confronted by the duo, but the answers revealed in an otherwise peaceful night shatters bonds thought unbreakable.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Adrien Agreste]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Yamanote High City - Harajuku Trendy District
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
4/3/2019 - 5/23/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

***************************** Yamanote High City *****************************.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Harajuku Trendy District +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
A street like Takeshita likes to warn its visitors what they're getting
into. Mounted on chromed gates, LED displays draw rainbows and flowers over
and over, cheerfully welcoming one and all, and beneath them the road has
just enough downward incline to appreciate just how many people have
accepted the invitation. This street is the heart of Harajuku, street
fashion capital of Japan and a world-famous mecca for youth culture.

Daring, experimental styles compete and combine here in a free-form paradise
of sartorial Darwinism. There's a place for frilly gothic lolita, glam-rock
visual kei, and even interpretations of Western styles like punk rock, and
only the boring is forbidden. Particularly on Sundays, young people treat
Harajuku like a catwalk, inspiring and inspired by the hip local designers
who run small shops here, all looking to create the next big thing. The
corporations moved in long ago, and so plenty of big international chains
have thrown their hat into this lively arena.

Harajuku is rare among the elite fashion districts of the world, however, in
that it is still genuinely youth-driven. Where Paris's Trocadero would have
an expensive cafe, Harajuku has a famous McDonald's. Cutesy candy shops,
crepe stands, and kitschy tee-shirt stalls combine with a whimsical
aesthetic to make Harajuku's target audience clear. This district is good
for wasting money fast, but it's mostly allowances and part-time paychecks
it's gobbling, and so the prices it demands are surprisingly -- dangerously
-- reasonable.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's a warm night. The moon is full and the stars are twikling but Chat Nori does not care, at least
not tonight as he finishes his patrol and lands on a flat rooftop. Not too long ago, he would have
day dreamed coming him with his once lady love but..no, not now. Not after learning what she had
been hiding from him. They were suppose to be partners and yet she couldn't trust him with the trust

His hands tighten into fists. No. No point of getting angry about that right now. He was on patrol
for any potential Akuma.

His eyes shut. He didn't like doing this. Searching for vulnerable targets like a hungry lion, but
his father insisted it was the only way to get Ladybug to hand over her miraculous. To get his
mother back. While Chat Noir did believe his father didn't care who got in his way, he did believe
he missed his mother as much as he did.

He sighed as he looked upon the streets. At least if he saw some targets, he could at least chose
the ones that felt justified. He told his father he would help the Akuma, but only to ensure they
didn't hurt or cause too much damage. That was the agreement they came upon.

Plagg didn't like the route he took, but he said he would remain with Adrien if he felt that
strongly about it. Chat was still angry his kwami hadn't told him the truth, but learning he was
unable to thanks to a spell from the Guardian he was willing to undrestand. Ladybug was another
case.

The streetlamps showed there was only a couple walking with their arms around each other as they
took a midnight stroll.

He thought briefly of just asking her to handover her miraculous, to get her to understand why he
needed it, but he knew the answer. She didn't trust him enough with the trust, why would she trust
his judgement now. It made no different. Chat Noir shook his head as he stared up at the moon. "I
hate being lonely, but I hate being lied to more," he mutters bitterly.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

As the full moon sends gentle rays of light down upon the skyline of Tokyo, a duo of magically
-empowered maidens leap from rooftop, on the search tonight. While normally Sourisi would enjoy the
pleasant weather and the wind whistling in her ears as she runs atop the buildings...the recent
shake-up in Miraculous Users has been a little hard.

The memory of Chat Noir actually turning on both Ladybug and Sourisi at a critical moment, leaving
them scrambling to defeat an Akuma and fight with a friend turned foe at the same time flashes in
her mind. Sourisi tries to stop herself from reliving that moment over again in her head as she
tries to wrap her head around the most important question.

Why? Why help Hawk Moth when his goal was both Chat Noir's and Ladybug's Miraculous? Now more
innocent people can be at risk, and it's only a matter of time before things take a turn for the
worst.

And the fact Ladybug still keeps a tight lip on questions Sourisi has is enough to drive her crazy,
even if she does like the polka-dotted vigilante.

Forest green eyes scanning the landscape catches sight on a familiar form, and the conflicting
emotions of happiness and uneasiness fills the ninja mouse. Grabbing onto Ladybug's hand, she
motions towards the Black Cat and looks at her partner's face. "He's alone...maybe he might be
willing to talk, or give some sort of hint?"

The eye mask doesn't hide the worried frown on her lips.

The crunch of boots meeting rooftop can be heard, and Sourisi tries to give a smile towards her
uncertain friend. "Curiousity might be the cat's trade, but a mouse can't help but stick her nose
out as well." The joke seems to fall flat in Sourisi's ears, and just lets out a small sigh.

It doesn't feel right, to have to worry if her fellow punster might try to attack or cause havoc for
mysterious goals.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's been an exhausting week for the girl behind Ladybug's mask.

Her grades are slipping again. It's a repeating pattern, driven by the balance of her mundane and
magical lives. When school's going well, she can devote more time to heroism; when school's going
poorly, Ladybug's appearances are more fleeting so that homework has some chance of getting done. A
pendulum swings from one responsibility to another, maintaining that rhythm.

She hasn't been able to recover the balance, though. With Chat Noir...no longer helping, with the
rise in Akuma appearances, she's had to sacrifice more and more of that 'normal' life, and her
smiles grow fainter by the day.

At least she's not completely alone. Ladybug's supposed partner may have betrayed her, but there's
others - not as close friends as she might like, but still friends. At least, she hopes.

(Tikki tried talking to Marinette so many times this week, but she just didn't have the words...)

Hopping from one rooftop to another, Ladybug jolts at the tug on her hand. Her masked eyes meet
Sourisi's, hesitation blooming there. She doesn't answer that worried frown right away, looking away
with pursed lips of her own. Instead, her eyes find tarps covering construction in progress, the
figurative bandage over a scar on the city - the aftermath of a fight where not everything could be
fixed.

There seem to be more of those lately. Between magical girls with reckless power, villainous
schemes, a destroyed bridge, and the Ohtori forest that still seems to burn...there's a lot of
damage left unfixed.

More determined eyes meet Sourisi's, a terribly faint smile answering the little joke. "I suppose
something does still smell a little fishy. You're right, Sourisi - maybe we can finally get some
answers from him."

As soon as Sourisi turns away from her, though, that smile fades into something harder. Together,
they set forth; together, they approach the renegade Cat. There's a little gravel on the rooftop
they land on, a crunch of rocks underfoot heralding their approach.

"It's a nice evening, Chat Noir. What are you..." The quipped question fades as her face falls, and
her voice has a hitch to it. "...that doesn't matter. Why? Why are you..."

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat Noir is about to leave, but his cat like ears hears footsteps. He cringes as he turns to see
his former partners before him. He almost feels tempted to joke back at Sourisi, but he bites his
lower lip. He betrayed them. No pun or joke would fix that.

The hurt look on their faces the moment he fully betrayed them still haunted at him, but he made
his choice. Now he had to lie in it.

"I don't want to fight either of you. I'll just go-"

Ladybug's questions causes him halt. He feels a flash of anger. "Why?" he asks. "You really have to
ask that?"

His eyes hardened. "We're suppose to be partners, but how can that be so when you clearly don't
trust me," he pointed over to their mutual friend "or Sourisi for that matter with the whole truth.
I don't care for Hawkmoth's methods, but at least he felt the need to be honest with me."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Even when Sourisi knows how much she must be hurting from the betrayal, Ladybug is clearly
devestated. It's only been a short week, but each time that the mouse ninja sees her ally in the
fight against Hawk Moth, she's been looking more and more exhausted. Without knowing what to say, or
if it was even possible to cheer her up, all Sourisi can do is just be there in those short hours
that she was around.

(Takk has been her own pillar of support, but as he says, this is something only she can do.)

Even as a ghost of a smile returns with Ladybug's half-hearted reply, Sourisi can't help but look
over Chat Noir intensely. He seems well enough, but...he looks sad and closed off. "Yeah. I'm just
not liking how this is smelling." Maybe...was he regretting his actions?

Even as Ladybug echoes her unspoken questions, the shorter of the duo shakes her head. "What? Chat
Noir...I don't want to fight you either. Just...it was so sudden, no warning...I never expected this
from anyone, especially you! What could possibly..."

Sourisi can almost see fur starting to stand up on the Black Cat's shoulders from his anger, and
instead of something confusing or hinting towards magical brainwashing, Chat Nori speaks sense. It
doesn't stop Sourisi from leaning backwards as a finger is thrust towards her, or her eyes
flickering to Ladybug right next to her.

As much as the Miraculous Ninja wants to think the best of everyone, Ladybug always seems to know
more than she or Takk was willing to tell.

Despite her misgivings, this is the chance to find out why Chat Noir turned against everyone to aid
Hawk Moth. Even if it means the feeling she's about to walk off a cliff. "Chat Noir...what did Hawk
Moth tell you? What do you know that I don't?"

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Here they are again. Ladybug and Chat Noir, face to face. The tone is so different than their usual
banter, though. There's no casual flirting, no light-hearted jokes - just sorrow and regret and
unanswered questions. At least Chat doesn't seem to be in a mood for a fight this time - the days
that they have to fight on two fronts are the worst.

Sourisi's seen how long Ladybug is left staring when Chat Noir strikes a villainous retreat. Now
they're left with...this. Just this bond that's been broken.

Ladybug steps back in alarm at Chat's anger, at what he snaps at - but hot anger flushes into her
cheeks in response. Even as Sourisi asks the calm question, Ladybug lets her fury burst out. "Are
you serious?! You call someone like Hawk Moth - someone who has been trying to paint us as the
villains all this time - honest?! That's just..."

She shakes her head, taking a step forward into the accusation. "We trusted you - I trusted you! We
never told each other everything, you've worn your mask just as long as we have - but that doesn't
mean there wasn't trust!"

She flings one arm wide, gesturing to that broken building whose repair might take weeks yet. "What
could make you lose faith in us badly enough to betray us like that?!"

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

He can see the exhaustion in the Ladybug's eyes, and how hurt Sourisi is as well, but his anger
flares more so at Ladybug's accusations. "You trusted me?! He gave a laugh. "How many times did we
ask you why you run off suddenly? How many times did we ask what you really know about the
Miraculous?"

He took a stomp forward. "We're partners, we're suppose to be on the same side and yet you didn't
feel the need to tell us that our Miraculous have this...this god like power!" He turns to Sourisi.
"Did she finally tell you? Turns out both my and her miraculous if combine can grante close to
divine power! Can make the ultimate wish. That's why Hawkmoth is after them so badly!" His eyes
narrowed. "Or that 'The Guardian' is the one that gets to call us the shots here! Seems he's the one
that decided only Ladybug gets to know what's actually going on, while we're just left in the dark!"

He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Rather hard to trust you, 'my lady' when you didn't even
feel the need to let us know just how dangerous these miraculous are. Also, before you ask, Hawkmoth
has a reason he's going after them but it's not as unreasonable as you think!"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Sourisi tries to be the calm in this brewing storm, but she can feel her cool starting to crumble
against the twin assault of anger and betrayal from her friends. The girl beneath the mask always
prided herself on smoothing things over before arguments between classmates can become too hot to
handle, but this verbal assault between the two is starting to burn her just for being on the
sidelines.

And as much as Sourisi wants to defend Ladybug from the accusations, a small part of her is agreeing
with Chat Noir.

Not that Hawkmoth is as pure and good as Chat Noir is making him out to be. "And what about the
people he's been turning into villains with the Akuma? He's reaching out to people when they're
under stress and turning them to his will! You can't just act like the distruction he's indirectly
responsible for can be swept under the rug." The construction so close by is proof to that.

But what comes next from the Black Cat causes Sourisi's eyes to widen and stare at Ladybug.

The real reason Hawk Moth wants their Miraculous is because they could combine and unleash a god
-like power? And what could be the 'ultimate wish'? And that would explain why Ladybug always seemed
to know more than she let on, but...if there was trust in her and Chat Noir, surely Ladybug would
have told them. That's why this is the first she's hearing of this...right?

But the slip of the tongue from Ladybug is enough to confirm there is at least some truth from Hawk
Moth, and the agony of seeing her friends fight is swallowed up by the greater pain of the question
of if she was ever friends with the polka-dot maiden at all.

Sourisi is still clinging to hope that there is a loose thread somewhere in Chat's story, and she
turns back to him, actually walks forward several steps to him now. "What reason could he have to
hurt and ruin the lives of innocences? World peace through domination? Stopping what happened at
Ohtori?" Surely something that grants god-like power has to be used for something world
changing...and maybe something that can prove this was all just half-truths and lies.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

"That..." Ladybug doesn't have a good counter for the points that Chat is throwing at her. Time and
time again, she ran off immediately after the battle - and while she could claim she was trying to
protect her identity, the truth was that she wanted to keep some kind of professional distance. Time
and time again, she'd shrug off questions about the Miraculous, feigning cluelessness - but she
stopped pleading equal ignorance fairly early on, after meeting the Guardian in secret.

With or without the mask, she hates liars - and so when pressed for an answer, she just avoided the
question.

Ladybug backpedals two steps for every stomp forward Chat makes, face paling at Chat's greatest
accusation. The divine power, the ultimate wish, the judgment of the Guardian - secrets exposed to
the cold night air. The words slip out of her mouth without even realizing she's saying them.
"How...how did you find out about that?..."

Ladybug already knew. She's known for months. But how did he find out?...

The look on Sourisi's face, realizing this truth, breaks her heart all over again. "The Guardian
said they're...dangerous. Too dangerous to even consider using together..." It's a weak argument,
weak as her voice - and in the same breath, it's the first time Ladybug has mentioned any
'Guardian'. She shrinks back at the pain in Sourisi's eyes, feeling another intangible bond
breaking.

It's a mercy, when Sourisi turns her anger or curiousity back on Chat Noir for the moment.

Her maybe-former friend has good questions for her former partner, and Ladybug manages to raise her
head amid the shame. Good questions, perhaps, and yet...and yet. "That...does it matter? Whatever
Hawk Moth wants to accomplish - even without all the pain and suffering he's caused, he'd risk
breaking the world for it. What could be worth that much?"

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat wishes he could feel satisfied by Ladybug's slip, but only anger. Perhaps a small part of him
had hoped she would be just a shock, proof that Hawkmoth lied and that Chat Noir had merely been an
idiot played. Yet, the words were like a slap to the face.

Chat Noir shut his eyes. "Does it matter how I found out?" he said bitterly. "It doesn't change the
fact that we've all be risking our lives to fight when we didn't even know the full truth!"

He glares back at Ladybug. "Tell me, if the Guardian knows best why doesn't he protect the
Miraculous himself? For that matter, why are you the only one he gets to tell the truth too! Or are
Sourisi and I just not worthy enough?! Are we just pawns to you and him!? Little soldiers that are
just suppose to mindlessly sit back and take orders!"

He takes a deep breath as he suddenly felt free of the tension that had been building for days.
Sourisi then asks her question and hie bits her lip. "You're not wrong," he admits. "I don't LIKE
how he's going about it, but he's desperate since he figure dit was the only way to lure out whoever
had the Miracoulous." He looks to Ladybug. "Unless you're willing to just hand it over, but I doubt
that. I'm working with him to minimize the damage as much as I can."

Still the question lingers and he can't avoid it. How does he answer without revealing his true
idenity. His eyes soften at Sourisi, but the Ladybug speaks and her words sting a bit. He held up
his head.

"What could be worth it?" He takes a deep breath. "My lady, if you lost someone you love, wouldn't
you risk everything to get them back." He holds back his own tears. "Wouldn't you want a slimmer of
a chance to be reunited with them? What if you were told you could never hug them again unless you
took such a dangerous chance?" He held out his hands and took them back. "I can't give details, but
I can tell you Hawkmoth is doing it for love, and that's the same for me."

He turns his back to Ladybug. "But perhaps with all the secret keeping with you and the Guardian,
maybe you can't understand." He glances over his shoulder. "After all, how cna you love anyone if
you don't feel the need to trust them with the truth? I doubt anyone can feel love if you insist on
closing off your heart like that."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Ladybug faulters under the onslaught, stepping back from her fellow Miraculous User as if he held a
deadly weapon in his hands. If the power of the Kwami is misused, then it might just be. As much as
Sourisi wants to step forward to act like a shield for her...friend?, what Chat speaks seems to fit,
especially with how Ladybug is acting.

Sourisi turns away from Ladybug, not wanting to look at her right now. The guilt the polka-dotted
heroine can be felt with her faulting words, but it doesn't change the fact this is the truth being
left out in the open. "...but...you could have warned us, you know? If we had known earlier, maybe
we can take precautions? Maybe we...still...can?"

Fat chance of trying to get Ladybug and Chat Noir to work together again now. Chat is revealing more
in minutes than what she ever found out on her own in all these months! And while she always
listened to her friends in the heat of battle, there's a difference between advice and orders with
no cause.

Chat Noir even has a good reason for working with Hawk Moth! He was trying to limit the destruction
caused by the Akuma, which is a lot more than could be said about Labrynith or the HiME. Sourisi
herself has caused more damage than she's comfortable with, and not everything restores itself once
the fighting is done.

'If you lost someone you love, wouldn't you risk everything to get them back?'

Anger. A mixture of joy and confusion. Realization. Self-loathing that sits and festers for years
now. The memory of a single picture of someone. All this hits Sourisi at once, and it takes her
moments to realize that her hand is grabbing onto her shoulder hard enough to leave bruises. She
doesn't say anything at Chat Noir, but...she understands, and she hates the fact that she
understands what he and, surprisingly, Hawk Moth must be feeling.

The urge to maybe even assist Hawk Moth in return for help of her own is squashed, but not fast
enough to be comfortable.

Backing away from both Chat Noir and Ladybug, Sourisi fights off the panic she's starting to feel
with large gulps of air. Calming herself enough to look at Chat, she nods once. "Chat...I...i'm
still going to fight the Akuma, they have to be stopped. It's not right what he's doing, no matter
the reason..." Dark green eyes look at Ladybug next, but the pain and confusion in her eyes drowns
out anything else. "If you had told us, maybe...look, I need time to think. Time to...find a friend,
talk...get my head straight."

It's clear Ladybug isn't going to be that friend tonight.

Without another word, Sourisi leaps off the rooftop and into the construction site. She got the
answers she wanted but...was it worth it knowing she's being betrayed by more than just one person?

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's like a cavalcade of knives, as deadly as any Akuma's attack. Chat Noir attacks with accusation
after accusation, and Ladybug can only flinch as each point strikes home.

"It - he - I never - " Ladybug's mouth snaps shut, biting off all her feeble protests. She could
defend herself, perhaps, to say that she doesn't know everything. She doesn't know why the Guardian
doesn't act, doesn't know why the holders were chosen, doesn't know why she was chosen to hear that
little bit more than they did. She just doesn't know...

...but if she were to say as much, could anyone believe her?

From the side, Sourisi's own accusations come - and for all the tenderness that Chat's didn't have,
they still strike home all the same. "That - I shouldn't have had to! We...we all knew people were
after the Miraculous, wasn't..."

She can't even look Sourisi in the eye while defending herself. Perhaps that's even more guilt being
admitted.

Her steps drift backwards with every word, footfalls marking a shameful retreat - but on the third
step, she finds her footing and words for a fleeting moment.

Her hand flies up, reflexively cupping one earring as if to protect it from Chat Noir, a stony glare
answering his defense of Hawk Moth. "Minimizing the damage? Minimizing?! That's rich, coming from
the one who kicked his betrayal off by destroying the tool I use to fix the damage! Did you never
think of talking sooner, or-" She bites her lip, gaze snapping away to focus on the distant wrecked
building.

Maybe Sourisi's calmer questions have a hope of getting answers. Maybe her pointed sting might work.
Regardless, she can hear the pain in Chat's voice, uncertainty worming its way into her heart. For
the sake of love, would it be right - or would it not be worth the risk?...

A brutal knife of words slams home, and Ladybug gasps as she turns to stare at Chat Noir's back.
Cold accusations striking at her own understanding of love, an icy blow from someone who'd professed
his love to her over and over, leaving her voiceless.

And then there's another gasp from next to her, and horrified eyes turn to Sourisi. There's a
finality to the mouse's words, and the pain and confusion there are like creeping stone. "Find...a
friend."

It really is clear.

Ladybug's foot slides back, bumping up at the roof's edge as Sourisi turns to go. With her gone,
it'll just be her and Chat, and right now...

Right now, that fight might not end well.

"...I guess I really was a fool. You're right, Chat Noir." There's a tightness in her throat, a sob
she doesn't dare vocalize before the two she once called close companions. "I can't, can I? The
Miraculous are a responsibility, a key to power great enough that the world could break for its
want...how much of an idiot was I to think I could get away with having friends or someone to love,
carrying that burden?"

Her hand falls from her ear, her earrings both sparkling in the light of some distant lamp, and her
eyes close.

"...good luck, Sourisi. And farewell, Chaton."

One more step, and Ladybug vanishes over the building's edge. If any friends care to look, there's
no sign of her...but maybe there's no friends left, either.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat Noir shut his eyes away from Sourisi. "I understand, and please know Sourisi it was never you I
was upset with." He opens his eyes in time to watch her go. Laydbug then argues her cases, he
flinches at the reminder of his ultimate betrayal, but he can't tell her why he did it. That it was
then he realized who Hawkmoth truly was and did it in a moment of panic.

He looked to Ladybug and held up his hands. "I'm not going to fight you tonight. We're all
too..emotional to fight without causing a lot of damage."

"I will say that, I never lied to you. My feelings for you were always honest."

Truthfully, they were were but he had to toss them aside. "Adieu, my lady. I hope you can find
someone you are willing to be honest with."

He then summons his baton and jumps leaving behind both his love and his friendship. Such a shame
it was a pretty night.

2019-04-03 - TIMELINE X: One Secret Too Many

2019-04-04T03:52:42Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Timeline X: One Secret Too Many'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''<The summary>''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Adrien Agreste]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Yamanote High City - Harajuku Trendy District
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
4/3/2019 - 5/23/2015
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

***************************** Yamanote High City *****************************.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Harajuku Trendy District +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
A street like Takeshita likes to warn its visitors what they're getting
into. Mounted on chromed gates, LED displays draw rainbows and flowers over
and over, cheerfully welcoming one and all, and beneath them the road has
just enough downward incline to appreciate just how many people have
accepted the invitation. This street is the heart of Harajuku, street
fashion capital of Japan and a world-famous mecca for youth culture.

Daring, experimental styles compete and combine here in a free-form paradise
of sartorial Darwinism. There's a place for frilly gothic lolita, glam-rock
visual kei, and even interpretations of Western styles like punk rock, and
only the boring is forbidden. Particularly on Sundays, young people treat
Harajuku like a catwalk, inspiring and inspired by the hip local designers
who run small shops here, all looking to create the next big thing. The
corporations moved in long ago, and so plenty of big international chains
have thrown their hat into this lively arena.

Harajuku is rare among the elite fashion districts of the world, however, in
that it is still genuinely youth-driven. Where Paris's Trocadero would have
an expensive cafe, Harajuku has a famous McDonald's. Cutesy candy shops,
crepe stands, and kitschy tee-shirt stalls combine with a whimsical
aesthetic to make Harajuku's target audience clear. This district is good
for wasting money fast, but it's mostly allowances and part-time paychecks
it's gobbling, and so the prices it demands are surprisingly -- dangerously
-- reasonable.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's a warm night. The moon is full and the stars are twikling but Chat Nori does not care, at least
not tonight as he finishes his patrol and lands on a flat rooftop. Not too long ago, he would have
day dreamed coming him with his once lady love but..no, not now. Not after learning what she had
been hiding from him. They were suppose to be partners and yet she couldn't trust him with the trust

His hands tighten into fists. No. No point of getting angry about that right now. He was on patrol
for any potential Akuma.

His eyes shut. He didn't like doing this. Searching for vulnerable targets like a hungry lion, but
his father insisted it was the only way to get Ladybug to hand over her miraculous. To get his
mother back. While Chat Noir did believe his father didn't care who got in his way, he did believe
he missed his mother as much as he did.

He sighed as he looked upon the streets. At least if he saw some targets, he could at least chose
the ones that felt justified. He told his father he would help the Akuma, but only to ensure they
didn't hurt or cause too much damage. That was the agreement they came upon.

Plagg didn't like the route he took, but he said he would remain with Adrien if he felt that
strongly about it. Chat was still angry his kwami hadn't told him the truth, but learning he was
unable to thanks to a spell from the Guardian he was willing to undrestand. Ladybug was another
case.

The streetlamps showed there was only a couple walking with their arms around each other as they
took a midnight stroll.

He thought briefly of just asking her to handover her miraculous, to get her to understand why he
needed it, but he knew the answer. She didn't trust him enough with the trust, why would she trust
his judgement now. It made no different. Chat Noir shook his head as he stared up at the moon. "I
hate being lonely, but I hate being lied to more," he mutters bitterly.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

As the full moon sends gentle rays of light down upon the skyline of Tokyo, a duo of magically
-empowered maidens leap from rooftop, on the search tonight. While normally Sourisi would enjoy the
pleasant weather and the wind whistling in her ears as she runs atop the buildings...the recent
shake-up in Miraculous Users has been a little hard.

The memory of Chat Noir actually turning on both Ladybug and Sourisi at a critical moment, leaving
them scrambling to defeat an Akuma and fight with a friend turned foe at the same time flashes in
her mind. Sourisi tries to stop herself from reliving that moment over again in her head as she
tries to wrap her head around the most important question.

Why? Why help Hawk Moth when his goal was both Chat Noir's and Ladybug's Miraculous? Now more
innocent people can be at risk, and it's only a matter of time before things take a turn for the
worst.

And the fact Ladybug still keeps a tight lip on questions Sourisi has is enough to drive her crazy,
even if she does like the polka-dotted vigilante.

Forest green eyes scanning the landscape catches sight on a familiar form, and the conflicting
emotions of happiness and uneasiness fills the ninja mouse. Grabbing onto Ladybug's hand, she
motions towards the Black Cat and looks at her partner's face. "He's alone...maybe he might be
willing to talk, or give some sort of hint?"

The eye mask doesn't hide the worried frown on her lips.

The crunch of boots meeting rooftop can be heard, and Sourisi tries to give a smile towards her
uncertain friend. "Curiousity might be the cat's trade, but a mouse can't help but stick her nose
out as well." The joke seems to fall flat in Sourisi's ears, and just lets out a small sigh.

It doesn't feel right, to have to worry if her fellow punster might try to attack or cause havoc for
mysterious goals.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's been an exhausting week for the girl behind Ladybug's mask.

Her grades are slipping again. It's a repeating pattern, driven by the balance of her mundane and
magical lives. When school's going well, she can devote more time to heroism; when school's going
poorly, Ladybug's appearances are more fleeting so that homework has some chance of getting done. A
pendulum swings from one responsibility to another, maintaining that rhythm.

She hasn't been able to recover the balance, though. With Chat Noir...no longer helping, with the
rise in Akuma appearances, she's had to sacrifice more and more of that 'normal' life, and her
smiles grow fainter by the day.

At least she's not completely alone. Ladybug's supposed partner may have betrayed her, but there's
others - not as close friends as she might like, but still friends. At least, she hopes.

(Tikki tried talking to Marinette so many times this week, but she just didn't have the words...)

Hopping from one rooftop to another, Ladybug jolts at the tug on her hand. Her masked eyes meet
Sourisi's, hesitation blooming there. She doesn't answer that worried frown right away, looking away
with pursed lips of her own. Instead, her eyes find tarps covering construction in progress, the
figurative bandage over a scar on the city - the aftermath of a fight where not everything could be
fixed.

There seem to be more of those lately. Between magical girls with reckless power, villainous
schemes, a destroyed bridge, and the Ohtori forest that still seems to burn...there's a lot of
damage left unfixed.

More determined eyes meet Sourisi's, a terribly faint smile answering the little joke. "I suppose
something does still smell a little fishy. You're right, Sourisi - maybe we can finally get some
answers from him."

As soon as Sourisi turns away from her, though, that smile fades into something harder. Together,
they set forth; together, they approach the renegade Cat. There's a little gravel on the rooftop
they land on, a crunch of rocks underfoot heralding their approach.

"It's a nice evening, Chat Noir. What are you..." The quipped question fades as her face falls, and
her voice has a hitch to it. "...that doesn't matter. Why? Why are you..."

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat Noir is about to leave, but his cat like ears hears footsteps. He cringes as he turns to see
his former partners before him. He almost feels tempted to joke back at Sourisi, but he bites his
lower lip. He betrayed them. No pun or joke would fix that.

The hurt look on their faces the moment he fully betrayed them still haunted at him, but he made
his choice. Now he had to lie in it.

"I don't want to fight either of you. I'll just go-"

Ladybug's questions causes him halt. He feels a flash of anger. "Why?" he asks. "You really have to
ask that?"

His eyes hardened. "We're suppose to be partners, but how can that be so when you clearly don't
trust me," he pointed over to their mutual friend "or Sourisi for that matter with the whole truth.
I don't care for Hawkmoth's methods, but at least he felt the need to be honest with me."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Even when Sourisi knows how much she must be hurting from the betrayal, Ladybug is clearly
devestated. It's only been a short week, but each time that the mouse ninja sees her ally in the
fight against Hawk Moth, she's been looking more and more exhausted. Without knowing what to say, or
if it was even possible to cheer her up, all Sourisi can do is just be there in those short hours
that she was around.

(Takk has been her own pillar of support, but as he says, this is something only she can do.)

Even as a ghost of a smile returns with Ladybug's half-hearted reply, Sourisi can't help but look
over Chat Noir intensely. He seems well enough, but...he looks sad and closed off. "Yeah. I'm just
not liking how this is smelling." Maybe...was he regretting his actions?

Even as Ladybug echoes her unspoken questions, the shorter of the duo shakes her head. "What? Chat
Noir...I don't want to fight you either. Just...it was so sudden, no warning...I never expected this
from anyone, especially you! What could possibly..."

Sourisi can almost see fur starting to stand up on the Black Cat's shoulders from his anger, and
instead of something confusing or hinting towards magical brainwashing, Chat Nori speaks sense. It
doesn't stop Sourisi from leaning backwards as a finger is thrust towards her, or her eyes
flickering to Ladybug right next to her.

As much as the Miraculous Ninja wants to think the best of everyone, Ladybug always seems to know
more than she or Takk was willing to tell.

Despite her misgivings, this is the chance to find out why Chat Noir turned against everyone to aid
Hawk Moth. Even if it means the feeling she's about to walk off a cliff. "Chat Noir...what did Hawk
Moth tell you? What do you know that I don't?"

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Here they are again. Ladybug and Chat Noir, face to face. The tone is so different than their usual
banter, though. There's no casual flirting, no light-hearted jokes - just sorrow and regret and
unanswered questions. At least Chat doesn't seem to be in a mood for a fight this time - the days
that they have to fight on two fronts are the worst.

Sourisi's seen how long Ladybug is left staring when Chat Noir strikes a villainous retreat. Now
they're left with...this. Just this bond that's been broken.

Ladybug steps back in alarm at Chat's anger, at what he snaps at - but hot anger flushes into her
cheeks in response. Even as Sourisi asks the calm question, Ladybug lets her fury burst out. "Are
you serious?! You call someone like Hawk Moth - someone who has been trying to paint us as the
villains all this time - honest?! That's just..."

She shakes her head, taking a step forward into the accusation. "We trusted you - I trusted you! We
never told each other everything, you've worn your mask just as long as we have - but that doesn't
mean there wasn't trust!"

She flings one arm wide, gesturing to that broken building whose repair might take weeks yet. "What
could make you lose faith in us badly enough to betray us like that?!"

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

He can see the exhaustion in the Ladybug's eyes, and how hurt Sourisi is as well, but his anger
flares more so at Ladybug's accusations. "You trusted me?! He gave a laugh. "How many times did we
ask you why you run off suddenly? How many times did we ask what you really know about the
Miraculous?"

He took a stomp forward. "We're partners, we're suppose to be on the same side and yet you didn't
feel the need to tell us that our Miraculous have this...this god like power!" He turns to Sourisi.
"Did she finally tell you? Turns out both my and her miraculous if combine can grante close to
divine power! Can make the ultimate wish. That's why Hawkmoth is after them so badly!" His eyes
narrowed. "Or that 'The Guardian' is the one that gets to call us the shots here! Seems he's the one
that decided only Ladybug gets to know what's actually going on, while we're just left in the dark!"

He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Rather hard to trust you, 'my lady' when you didn't even
feel the need to let us know just how dangerous these miraculous are. Also, before you ask, Hawkmoth
has a reason he's going after them but it's not as unreasonable as you think!"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Sourisi tries to be the calm in this brewing storm, but she can feel her cool starting to crumble
against the twin assault of anger and betrayal from her friends. The girl beneath the mask always
prided herself on smoothing things over before arguments between classmates can become too hot to
handle, but this verbal assault between the two is starting to burn her just for being on the
sidelines.

And as much as Sourisi wants to defend Ladybug from the accusations, a small part of her is agreeing
with Chat Noir.

Not that Hawkmoth is as pure and good as Chat Noir is making him out to be. "And what about the
people he's been turning into villains with the Akuma? He's reaching out to people when they're
under stress and turning them to his will! You can't just act like the distruction he's indirectly
responsible for can be swept under the rug." The construction so close by is proof to that.

But what comes next from the Black Cat causes Sourisi's eyes to widen and stare at Ladybug.

The real reason Hawk Moth wants their Miraculous is because they could combine and unleash a god
-like power? And what could be the 'ultimate wish'? And that would explain why Ladybug always seemed
to know more than she let on, but...if there was trust in her and Chat Noir, surely Ladybug would
have told them. That's why this is the first she's hearing of this...right?

But the slip of the tongue from Ladybug is enough to confirm there is at least some truth from Hawk
Moth, and the agony of seeing her friends fight is swallowed up by the greater pain of the question
of if she was ever friends with the polka-dot maiden at all.

Sourisi is still clinging to hope that there is a loose thread somewhere in Chat's story, and she
turns back to him, actually walks forward several steps to him now. "What reason could he have to
hurt and ruin the lives of innocences? World peace through domination? Stopping what happened at
Ohtori?" Surely something that grants god-like power has to be used for something world
changing...and maybe something that can prove this was all just half-truths and lies.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

"That..." Ladybug doesn't have a good counter for the points that Chat is throwing at her. Time and
time again, she ran off immediately after the battle - and while she could claim she was trying to
protect her identity, the truth was that she wanted to keep some kind of professional distance. Time
and time again, she'd shrug off questions about the Miraculous, feigning cluelessness - but she
stopped pleading equal ignorance fairly early on, after meeting the Guardian in secret.

With or without the mask, she hates liars - and so when pressed for an answer, she just avoided the
question.

Ladybug backpedals two steps for every stomp forward Chat makes, face paling at Chat's greatest
accusation. The divine power, the ultimate wish, the judgment of the Guardian - secrets exposed to
the cold night air. The words slip out of her mouth without even realizing she's saying them.
"How...how did you find out about that?..."

Ladybug already knew. She's known for months. But how did he find out?...

The look on Sourisi's face, realizing this truth, breaks her heart all over again. "The Guardian
said they're...dangerous. Too dangerous to even consider using together..." It's a weak argument,
weak as her voice - and in the same breath, it's the first time Ladybug has mentioned any
'Guardian'. She shrinks back at the pain in Sourisi's eyes, feeling another intangible bond
breaking.

It's a mercy, when Sourisi turns her anger or curiousity back on Chat Noir for the moment.

Her maybe-former friend has good questions for her former partner, and Ladybug manages to raise her
head amid the shame. Good questions, perhaps, and yet...and yet. "That...does it matter? Whatever
Hawk Moth wants to accomplish - even without all the pain and suffering he's caused, he'd risk
breaking the world for it. What could be worth that much?"

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat wishes he could feel satisfied by Ladybug's slip, but only anger. Perhaps a small part of him
had hoped she would be just a shock, proof that Hawkmoth lied and that Chat Noir had merely been an
idiot played. Yet, the words were like a slap to the face.

Chat Noir shut his eyes. "Does it matter how I found out?" he said bitterly. "It doesn't change the
fact that we've all be risking our lives to fight when we didn't even know the full truth!"

He glares back at Ladybug. "Tell me, if the Guardian knows best why doesn't he protect the
Miraculous himself? For that matter, why are you the only one he gets to tell the truth too! Or are
Sourisi and I just not worthy enough?! Are we just pawns to you and him!? Little soldiers that are
just suppose to mindlessly sit back and take orders!"

He takes a deep breath as he suddenly felt free of the tension that had been building for days.
Sourisi then asks her question and hie bits her lip. "You're not wrong," he admits. "I don't LIKE
how he's going about it, but he's desperate since he figure dit was the only way to lure out whoever
had the Miracoulous." He looks to Ladybug. "Unless you're willing to just hand it over, but I doubt
that. I'm working with him to minimize the damage as much as I can."

Still the question lingers and he can't avoid it. How does he answer without revealing his true
idenity. His eyes soften at Sourisi, but the Ladybug speaks and her words sting a bit. He held up
his head.

"What could be worth it?" He takes a deep breath. "My lady, if you lost someone you love, wouldn't
you risk everything to get them back." He holds back his own tears. "Wouldn't you want a slimmer of
a chance to be reunited with them? What if you were told you could never hug them again unless you
took such a dangerous chance?" He held out his hands and took them back. "I can't give details, but
I can tell you Hawkmoth is doing it for love, and that's the same for me."

He turns his back to Ladybug. "But perhaps with all the secret keeping with you and the Guardian,
maybe you can't understand." He glances over his shoulder. "After all, how cna you love anyone if
you don't feel the need to trust them with the truth? I doubt anyone can feel love if you insist on
closing off your heart like that."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Ladybug faulters under the onslaught, stepping back from her fellow Miraculous User as if he held a
deadly weapon in his hands. If the power of the Kwami is misused, then it might just be. As much as
Sourisi wants to step forward to act like a shield for her...friend?, what Chat speaks seems to fit,
especially with how Ladybug is acting.

Sourisi turns away from Ladybug, not wanting to look at her right now. The guilt the polka-dotted
heroine can be felt with her faulting words, but it doesn't change the fact this is the truth being
left out in the open. "...but...you could have warned us, you know? If we had known earlier, maybe
we can take precautions? Maybe we...still...can?"

Fat chance of trying to get Ladybug and Chat Noir to work together again now. Chat is revealing more
in minutes than what she ever found out on her own in all these months! And while she always
listened to her friends in the heat of battle, there's a difference between advice and orders with
no cause.

Chat Noir even has a good reason for working with Hawk Moth! He was trying to limit the destruction
caused by the Akuma, which is a lot more than could be said about Labrynith or the HiME. Sourisi
herself has caused more damage than she's comfortable with, and not everything restores itself once
the fighting is done.

'If you lost someone you love, wouldn't you risk everything to get them back?'

Anger. A mixture of joy and confusion. Realization. Self-loathing that sits and festers for years
now. The memory of a single picture of someone. All this hits Sourisi at once, and it takes her
moments to realize that her hand is grabbing onto her shoulder hard enough to leave bruises. She
doesn't say anything at Chat Noir, but...she understands, and she hates the fact that she
understands what he and, surprisingly, Hawk Moth must be feeling.

The urge to maybe even assist Hawk Moth in return for help of her own is squashed, but not fast
enough to be comfortable.

Backing away from both Chat Noir and Ladybug, Sourisi fights off the panic she's starting to feel
with large gulps of air. Calming herself enough to look at Chat, she nods once. "Chat...I...i'm
still going to fight the Akuma, they have to be stopped. It's not right what he's doing, no matter
the reason..." Dark green eyes look at Ladybug next, but the pain and confusion in her eyes drowns
out anything else. "If you had told us, maybe...look, I need time to think. Time to...find a friend,
talk...get my head straight."

It's clear Ladybug isn't going to be that friend tonight.

Without another word, Sourisi leaps off the rooftop and into the construction site. She got the
answers she wanted but...was it worth it knowing she's being betrayed by more than just one person?

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's like a cavalcade of knives, as deadly as any Akuma's attack. Chat Noir attacks with accusation
after accusation, and Ladybug can only flinch as each point strikes home.

"It - he - I never - " Ladybug's mouth snaps shut, biting off all her feeble protests. She could
defend herself, perhaps, to say that she doesn't know everything. She doesn't know why the Guardian
doesn't act, doesn't know why the holders were chosen, doesn't know why she was chosen to hear that
little bit more than they did. She just doesn't know...

...but if she were to say as much, could anyone believe her?

From the side, Sourisi's own accusations come - and for all the tenderness that Chat's didn't have,
they still strike home all the same. "That - I shouldn't have had to! We...we all knew people were
after the Miraculous, wasn't..."

She can't even look Sourisi in the eye while defending herself. Perhaps that's even more guilt being
admitted.

Her steps drift backwards with every word, footfalls marking a shameful retreat - but on the third
step, she finds her footing and words for a fleeting moment.

Her hand flies up, reflexively cupping one earring as if to protect it from Chat Noir, a stony glare
answering his defense of Hawk Moth. "Minimizing the damage? Minimizing?! That's rich, coming from
the one who kicked his betrayal off by destroying the tool I use to fix the damage! Did you never
think of talking sooner, or-" She bites her lip, gaze snapping away to focus on the distant wrecked
building.

Maybe Sourisi's calmer questions have a hope of getting answers. Maybe her pointed sting might work.
Regardless, she can hear the pain in Chat's voice, uncertainty worming its way into her heart. For
the sake of love, would it be right - or would it not be worth the risk?...

A brutal knife of words slams home, and Ladybug gasps as she turns to stare at Chat Noir's back.
Cold accusations striking at her own understanding of love, an icy blow from someone who'd professed
his love to her over and over, leaving her voiceless.

And then there's another gasp from next to her, and horrified eyes turn to Sourisi. There's a
finality to the mouse's words, and the pain and confusion there are like creeping stone. "Find...a
friend."

It really is clear.

Ladybug's foot slides back, bumping up at the roof's edge as Sourisi turns to go. With her gone,
it'll just be her and Chat, and right now...

Right now, that fight might not end well.

"...I guess I really was a fool. You're right, Chat Noir." There's a tightness in her throat, a sob
she doesn't dare vocalize before the two she once called close companions. "I can't, can I? The
Miraculous are a responsibility, a key to power great enough that the world could break for its
want...how much of an idiot was I to think I could get away with having friends or someone to love,
carrying that burden?"

Her hand falls from her ear, her earrings both sparkling in the light of some distant lamp, and her
eyes close.

"...good luck, Sourisi. And farewell, Chaton."

One more step, and Ladybug vanishes over the building's edge. If any friends care to look, there's
no sign of her...but maybe there's no friends left, either.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat Noir shut his eyes away from Sourisi. "I understand, and please know Sourisi it was never you I
was upset with." He opens his eyes in time to watch her go. Laydbug then argues her cases, he
flinches at the reminder of his ultimate betrayal, but he can't tell her why he did it. That it was
then he realized who Hawkmoth truly was and did it in a moment of panic.

He looked to Ladybug and held up his hands. "I'm not going to fight you tonight. We're all
too..emotional to fight without causing a lot of damage."

"I will say that, I never lied to you. My feelings for you were always honest."

Truthfully, they were were but he had to toss them aside. "Adieu, my lady. I hope you can find
someone you are willing to be honest with."

He then summons his baton and jumps leaving behind both his love and his friendship. Such a shame
it was a pretty night.

2019-02-28 - TIMELINE 3: Scavenging In The Presence Of Royalty

2019-03-02T00:09:34Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: TIMELINE 3: Scavenging In The Presence Of Royalty'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Niramo manages to sneak out of her classroom and searches for some food before attempting to escape. She's cornered by Ye-jin Song under the guise of White Queen, but the bond between Kohai and Senpai can lead to surprising events.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Niramo Umokeshi]], [[Ye-jin Song]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Ohtori Academy
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
9/14/2014 - 2/28/2019
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Ushering In The Golden Age]]

.******************** Yamanote High City - Ohtori Academy *********************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Ohtori Academy +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The ivory crown on the brow of Southern Cross Island, Ohtori Academy is
separated from the world by more than just water. Outside, education can be
a luxury. Within this white-walled compound, education is /luxurious/.
Marble colonnades spring up like fountain spouts, scarlet flowers drench
every free surface. The architecture is at once daringly art deco and
austerely Classical, white marble lending an angelic weightlessness to
pillars and fences that can seem more woven than carved.

At the center of campus is the Chairman's Tower, a dizzyingly tall spire in
the center of a manicured grassy field. Radiating around this field are the
lecture halls, dormitories, art buildings, and other facilities by which the
chosen few receive education, with small class sizes in large buildings.
It's common for students to refer to a building's location as if the hour
hand of a great clock extended from the central tower. At twelve o'clock,
for instance, the Duel Arena looms like a jade stormcloud, a great forest
forming a living pagoda of leaves that reminds even longtime students that
their school keeps many secrets.

The rose is the emblem of Ohtori, and campus is decorated with a profusion
of them, both living and frozen in frieze. Poppies are favored as well, and
thick carpets of either flower can be found wherever the loosest excuse is
available. Only the most bitter of winters seems able to fully erase the
faint fragrance from the air, and students who leave the island via quick,
convenient bridge or ferry can often find a memory of it on their clothing.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

When it comes to anything occuring on Ohtori, you can always trust it on always being much more than
the normal affair. Though this is a bit much even for Niramo's expectations.

The bridge connecting Souther Cross Island to the rest of Japan has been destroyed by a massive
energy cannon in space, and with the gathered magical fighters of Tokyo exhausted from the
distraction that was an oversized robot, they are unable to stop Ohtori Academy from falling under
the control of an organizaed occupation force of mundane soldiers.

This was only a few days ago, and Niramo Umokeshi is getting tired of just waiting, but it has been
worth it. Feigning sleep to keep notes of when the soldiers change guard, placing the few makeshift
cameras she had made in her classroom prison and waiting for the perfect time to escape has been
worth it. She didn't want to leave Wakatsuki Makiko behind and alone, but...she had to if she was to
figure out what exactly is the real reason for this invasion.

After all, the people that Niramo could trust completely could be counted on one hand, and half of
those is her parents.

Due to her frequent visits to Ohtori over the past year, be it to meet her mentor or join in
whatever extravagant event the Academy was hosting, the young Juubanite knows the layout of these
marble halls nearly as well as their plastic tiled counterpart. That and with Takk acting as an
incorporeal scout is her saving grace in moving through the hallways unseen, though the longer she's
in the school, the more she risks being caught.

...that, and walking around barefoot to make less noise is keeping her feet cold.

But if she needs to escape to figure out what she might be up against, she needs supplies, with food
being the most important. The main kitchen seems like the best way to be caught, but surely one of
the smaller kitchenettes have food still. The soldiers couldn't keep all the food in one place,
otherwise it would make feeding the students very time consuming.

This brings Niramo to the present, hurriedly searching for food fit for the woods in a small pantry.
Sugary snacks is ignored for water and trail mix, but it's only going to be so long before she's
discovered. "...really, does there need to be so many coffee cakes?"

She's muttering to herself to keep herself focused in her fear, but this might be a mistake.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Ye-jin Song has been notably absent from the proceedings after the explosion of the bridge. She made
a brief appearance at the ball beforehand, appearing with her typical showmanship before vanishing
amidst the chaos of the Golden Age takeover. Though she's not a member of the Student Council, rumor
has it that she's being cordoned off for making trouble, or that she's already used her obscene
wealth to buy her freedom from Ohtori.

In reality she roams the halls of the Academy in the guide of the White Queen, ballgown discarded
and golden mask protecting her identity. She's kept an eye out these past few days for signs of
opposition, seeking out HiME and allies across the spacious grounds of the academy.

Normally she wouldn't spare the time for a lone student--there are Golden Age soldiers to keep the
masses corralled and her task is more important. Niramo, however, is not an ordinary student to Ye-
jin Song. So when the girl was spotted sneaking through the halls, Ye-jin deemed in worth her time
to follow.

Her presence is announced by the click of the small kitchen's door shutting behind her, a faint but
easily audible noise in the otherwise quiet. She's removed her mask by the time she makes herself
known, the golden domino hidden away to reveal her familiar face.

"Niramo-chan." She says, dark eyes considering the other girl speculatively. "Are you hungry?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Ye-jin Song has been first and foremost on Niramo's mind once the reality of the Golden Age PMC
invasion has dawned on her. Despite being one of Ohtori's elite in both social status and money, the
older student has taken an interest in Niramo and not look down on her just for being from Juuban.
She has encouraged and help mold Niramo from the sheltered and anxious young girl to a self-
confident and focused young woman. In moments of doubt, the heiress always seems to have a way to
let Niramo see through her problems.

It's why she's one of those fingers on the hand of people she can fully trust.

When she hears the door click shut, the short Juuban student's mind immediately turns to the worst
possible outcome. A soldier squad has cornered her, and all her effort is wasted! It's not the
possible pain upcoming that worries her, but the fact she's going to be watched and making escape
all the harder now.

As she turns around to see Ye-jin and hear her words, though...panic turns to relief in an instant.
Shaking her head, she walks forward to meet her mentor, even as she keeps her voice lowered. "Ye-jin-
senpai, you're okay! I assumed the worst when I didn't hear anything about you besides you made some
trouble, but...you're here. But...wait, it's dangerous to be out in the halls right now!"

Despite that is exactly what Niramo is doing right now is discarded.

Her senpai's question has Niramo open up her bookbag and show the contents, which was only several
bottles of water, crackers and trail mix. "Um...not me, exactly. It's Wakatsuki-chan. Everyone is
getting the same food, but she needs to watch her sugar levels and has been feeling a little faint.
I know it's really risky, but the soldiers don't care, so...I had to sneak out and look for
something for her."

Fingers drumming on her bookbag is a sign she might not be telling the truth there, but the concern
for her younger friend is real enough. There's no need to fake that when she's going to leave her
behind.

Green eyes flicker past Ye-jin for a moment, trying to see if a patrol might be visable, but nothing
yet. "Anyways, have you heard anything about what's going on? They're...checking everyone for
something, but...it doesn't seem like a quarantine to me." Niramo rubs a spot on her arm where blood
was drawn for testing before, a noticable bruise forming. Doesn't look like the Golden Age PMC was
gentle doing it, either.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

"I'm fine." Ye-jin acknowledges. And she seems to be that way, unblemished and looking as much
herself as usual. No sign of dishevel, fatigue, or any sort of paranoia about her. "There's nobody
around," She assures the smaller girl after, "Don't worry." And she does seem quite unconcerned.

Ye-jin wrinkles her nose as she glances at the contents of the bag, decidedly unimpressed. "Oh?" She
asks, adding after, "That's kind of you. But you're going to get yourself in trouble, running around
here."

She reaches to pinch Niramo's wrist between her fingers when the girl shows her bruise, nudging her
arm so that Ye-jin can get a proper look. She frowns briefly before she gently releases the other
girl's arm, noting, "They said they're here to catch the terrorists that blew up the bridge. Do you
not believe them?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Ye-jin does look well enough, so at least she isn't being hurt. Maybe she's treated well by proving
her innocence somehow? But the soldiers seem to be treating everyone roughly...well, maybe they
managed to exclude Ye-jin from whatever they were searching for, then!

It's true, but not the quite the way she's thinking of.

Ye-jin might be turning her nose up at her humble supplies, but Niramo is trying to think pratical.
As much as she wants to fill it with sweets, there's no telling when she might be able to sneak in
and get more food. There's no telling how long the siege might last. "It's not exactly honey toast,
but...it's food that she can hide away if she need to. And I won't get in trouble if I don't get
caught, right?" Even if this isn't a joking matter, Niramo does smile a little. 'Only the opinion of
those that matter to her truly matters', right?

Wincing a little as her arm is pulled forward, she lets Ye-jin examine it without complaint, but a
part of her notices Ye-jin doesn't seem to have blood drawn from her arms at all. Maybe a benefit of
being excluded from the examination?

As much as Niramo trusts Ye-jin, there's just some topics you don't bring up. Being a magical girl
based on a mouse and knowing it wasn't just as simple as a terrorist attack isn't one of them. Why
would they be checking everyone's blood if that's the case? And there's the whispers of 'valkyries'
and keeping the Ohtori Student Council secluded...something's up, big time. "I do, but...surely
there's a better way of doing it, right? I never heard of telling terrorists by mass screening
everyone's blood. Usually there's fingerprints or hair samples..."

Niramo's father is a detective, so it's bound that she knows of the more common way to tell people
apart...

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Ye-jin's lips curl into a slight smile at Niramo's mention of toast, recalling the favored treat
shared between the two. She's quiet again for a moment, before giving a short nod of her head.
"You're very smart, Niramo-chan." She agrees.

"It does seem strange," Ye-jin agrees. "But I'm sure they have a good reason for what they're doing.
They must just want to keep all of us safe." Ye-jin's reassurance is false, of course. Still, she
makes a token effort to convince her small protege that this is the case.

Ye-jin's hands rise, swinging up in one abrupt motion and landing with a solid clap on Niramo's
shoulders. Her grip is loose enough to be unthreatening, and her expression is one of concern.
"Niramo-chan." She says, Ye-jin's dark eyes locked with the raven-haired girl's. "You and your
friend aren't going to try and run away, are you?"

It's something she has to consider, after all. That her small friend might be one of her targets is
unlikely, but even normal students can make ill-fated escape attempts.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The compliment is enough to have her nervous smile turn into the genuine article, memories of their
favorite snack coming to mind. Be it at the fancy French restaurant in Harajuku or Niramo's own
attempts to recreate the recipe herself, it's enough to almost make it feel normal again. "Only
because I have someone there helping me, Ye-jin-senpai."

Frowning slightly, the undersized Juubanite lets out a sigh. Maybe Ye-jin believes that, but...the
soldiers of the PMC are willing to beat up students if they try to resist with little warning, and
while no one has been hurt more than a few bruises...suspected criminals or terrorists would never
be treated like this back on the mainland while in custody. whatever is the truth going on here...
she has to find out.

Now if only Ye-jin wasn't making it so difficult. That familiar clap on her shoulders is enough to
make Niramo look up to meet her senpai's gaze. Ye-jin has never led her wrong before since they met,
but...she was being treated seperatedly from the others. If she's being treated so fairly and was
being excluded from the search...was she being misled by the PMC to assist in the search? Her senpai
didn't say why she came in here, and she wasn't interested in the food when it was being rationed
out...

That realization that she can't even trust her mentor right now is like a knife to her stomach, even
as Niramo knows it isn't Ye-jin's fault. She...needs to find proof of what is really going on here,
and somehow convince Ye-jin of the truth. Things can go back to normal then. They have to.

"Of course not, Senpai. I promise you I nor Wakatsuki-chan are going to run away! Hopefully the
terrorists are found and brought to justice, and then we can go back home. Right?" After all, trying
to run away from Southern Cross Island isn't going to fix anything. Finding out the truth is the
first step to stopping the siege, she's sure of it, and the truth won't be found in prison.

A steely resolve settles in dark green orbs even as Niramo makes her promise. She was already going
to save everyone she could from this nightmare, and she's going to make sure her senpai is one of
them.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Ye-jin retains her grip on Niramo for a few moments more, her eyes scanning the other girl's gaze
for some sign of the veracity of her claim. Eventually, she seems to decide that she's seen enough.
Her hands fall away from Niramo's shoulders, Ye-jin making a short inclination of her head. "If you
promise," She agrees.

"Go back to your classroom, Niramo-chan. I'll make sure you're safe there." The words are sincere
despite any suspicion that may linger. Ye-jin would rather Niramo stay put for her own safety,
regardless of anything else.

"I'll take you out to eat when this is all over." She assures, shuffling aside to give Niramo
clearance to the door beyond. Ye-jin too must want to eat, because as she waits for Niramo to exist
she too riffles briefly through a cabinet to find a small carton of sweet left behind.
+ooc Sounds good then. Thanks for doing this scene with me, Song. You been amazing tonight.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Several tense moments pass as Ye-jin's grip remains on her shoulders...and it's a herculean effort
to not let out a sigh of relief. The Niramo of a year ago would be sweating buckets before, but the
experience of fighting all sorts of strange and magical threats and making a few friends she fully
trusts is enough to let her keep her cool. Barely.

"I promise, Ye-jin-senpai. And you be safe as well, okay?" Even if Ye-jin might be misled at the
moment, the PMC and the blockade is still very serious and is willing to harm innocents. As long as
her mentor is careful, she won't let herself be used too harshly.

Niramo's head nods in confirmation, causing her long hair to dance with the movement. Letting it
flow freely instead of being in a ponytail does look good on her. "It's a date, then. I'll make you
something for you to take home afterwards. Promise!" A split-second glance towards the unopened
cabinets makes her wish she could still collect more food, but this was a close enough call. She
isn't going to misplace Ye-jin's trust in her, even if she has to be even more careful now.

Peeking her head out in the hallway and looking around quickly, the short ravenette starts to tiptoe
down the hallway, back towards the classroom she is supposed to be in. She's going have to take a
different way out, but...she can still make it outside if she plays it carefully.

'I promise, Ye-jin-senpai. I will help set everyone free from this.'

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

"I'll be fine." Ye-jin assures Niramo as the girl exits, head bobbing briefly at her offer of a
future treat. Brown eyes follow her small friend as she disappears, the door soon swinging shut
again to leave her alone in the kitchen.

She produces a small radio once a second has passed, raising it to her lips and speaking...

And in the hall, as Niramo returns to her designated classroom, a patrol of soldiers are making
their rounds.

"East squads, report to point 4. Escape in progress." A short, crackly command pipes from their
walkie talkies.

The soldiers some to attention abruptly, breaking into a sprint toward Niramo--but past. Off down
hallway and out of sight, vanishing from view at a quick jog. Others go to meet them, and Niramo
finds her path back to class-and beyond, should she desire-suddenly and fortuitously clear.

Back in the kitchen Ye-jin Song's teeth snap off a brittle chunk of a discovered cookie. Afterward,
the radio is lowered and the mask is donned once more. Back to work.

Previously On Battle Fantasia

2019-02-16T04:32:43Z

Blasktin:

'''''Previously On Battle Fantasia is a special event that started on Battle Fantasia on 11/11/18.'''''

The five years of Battle Fantasia MUSH roleplay have established a miraculous and tragic [[Timeline|timeline]]...

...but it wasn't the first timeline.

__TOC__

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm2UHRMKtic Cue the music!]

[[File:Previously_on_Battle_Fantasia_labels.png|800px|center|link=Previously_On_Battle_Fantasia]]

===The Wayback Machine===

It is September 20, 2013.

The height of fall. Tokyo is golden and beautiful, afternoons still warm with the memory of summer; beginning to be crisp, in the early morning, with the promise of winter.

It is the second year of the Sister Schools program, which is still new enough to be exciting and also a little uncomfortable. Juuban Public School is about to host the joint sports festival, brushing up their fields. Infinity Institute and Ohtori Academy anticipate shoddiness, but are going to find sportsmanship instead.

But some students suddenly find themselves having to balance the challenge of finding the right partner for the three-legged race with a new life -- a double life -- a secret life.

That's because two weeks ago the demonic army of Dark Fall swept into the heart of the magic worlds, the Fairy Realms, and dislodged their masters. They possessed ancient artifacts and used them to explode fairy castles, and they sealed fairy queens away in teacups. They shattered souls, and remade worlds in their own dark image. And so the cries for help went out -- all of them, drawn by an unseen force, to the same blue ball in Space.

And so it is that today, on Earth, the consequences of centuries, millennia, of planning and battles have come to fruit, as Dark Fall and Ends of the World alike descend not as one, but at once. The greedy fingers of corporate masters tear the dreams out of children's chests in the hunt for the miracle-granting Embryo. A coterie of Belkan Knights root in the shadows for the Linker Cores of the innocent - leaving them half dead and bereft of magic. Orphans stir on Southern Cross Island, finding victims to feed on, as their master's mark blazes in the sky. Underground, the Order of the Glittering Crux seeks to release the seals that will allow them to summon their magitechnological wonders into the real world, and seize it for their own. Witches throng in the shadows, their attention called by the despair of those who see how bleak the world is, their Kiss drawing still more into that trap. Above, the Castle Where Eternity Dwells silently waits to see whose heart will next be savaged by the Duels it oversees. And in the North, Queen Beryl's empire rises again, to finally and absolutely conquer the Earth and therefore the crown jewel of the universe...

But the guardians of Earth are rising. Tokyo is where that battle will be fought; as Pretty Cures are found by the refugees of the Fairy Worlds, and HiME once more flock to the Land of Fuuka, now called Southern Cross Island, and the Silver Millennium's Sailor Senshi stir at last from their millennia-long slumber. The darkness is deep; but once, a great queen wished for a light to outshine any darkness.

She will not be disappointed.

She has you.

---

Welcome to 'PREVIOUSLY ON BATTLE FANTASIA', our game's next major plot. Starting immediately, we're taking a trip back in time to our world as it was in September 2013: a more innocent time, with more innocent characters. New transfer students are new once again. Virtually everyone is a freshly recruited magical girl, taking their first steps into the world of fighting evil by moonlight -- youma are scary and their masters mysterious and unknown. Balancing normal and magical life is not old hat but an often-overwhelming act of frantic rushing around and the occasional guilty lie.

And beautiful friendships are about to be born.

===Frequently Asked Questions===

'''WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?'''

Frankly, the game has been in a very dark place for a very long time, and everyone needs a break. PREVIOUSLY ON BATTLE FANTASIA will occasionally tackle some heavy truths, but overwhelmingly its tone is intended to be lighthearted and fun -- or at least not oppressively, inescapably awful. It is an opportunity for everyone to get a fresh take on their characters, exploring, in a backwards way, exactly how far they've come.

It is also, frankly, an opportunity for some fan service, and the staff is taking requests on 'alternate timeline' plot points you'd like to see worked into the story. Please email your ideas to battlefantasiastaff@gmail.com or join the brainstorming shared document [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TPfzE1C2d5w4waeg4u8qvS0409jtesO9i4FU8c3eimU/edit?usp=sharing here]!

'''IS EVERYTHING THE SAME?'''

No, and we will get into the differences between the first timeline and the final timeline (our regular game) [[#Timelines|below]].

Obviously, one major difference is that themes and characters that joined the game after September 2013 will have joined it earlier and younger: take a look at your 'school' entries, you'll see you've been sent back two grades! '''(If you are one of these characters, the staff wants to work out the details of your earlier arrival with you -- please contact Pink Moon Stick for a brainstorming session!)'''

Characters from later SEASONS of certain themes who weren't around at game start (here's looking at you, Chibi-Usa-chan) will not be present in September 2013, but can rejoin us as the timeline catches back up with them.

'''WAIT, TIMELINES PLURAL?'''

Yes. We are going to do several, one at a time, and in so doing tell a story, as a game, about the MANY ways things have changed from everyone's original destiny to their current one (not just the hairstyle of Homura Akemi). In each timeline we will be skipping around through the intervening year and a half between past and present to hit various highlight events from the old days that some of our players missed out on, and others would enjoy revisiting.

If you want to remind yourself and come up with a possible wishlist, http://battlefantasia.pinksugarheartattack.net/Timeline is hideously out of date, but it's the earlier stuff we're especially eager to do, so in that sense it's still a useful resource!

'''BUT I WANT TO KEEP DOING 2015 ROLEPLAY!'''

That's completely fine. All 'Previously On' logs are going to be labeled as such; you are welcome to roleplay in the 'current' timeline privately if you like, especially to give yourself a little denouement after certain major events, if you don't want to wait. We stopped at the end of the IC night of May 27, 2015, and will be picking back up on May 28, 2015 eventually; for various spooky plot reasons, please keep your roleplay within the next two days, May 28-29, 2015.

===Timelines===

For log titles, please label which timeline you're roleplaying in with the prefix: TIMELINE #:. So, a scene set in the first timeline might
have the title TIMELINE 1: Welcome To Tokyo!

Each timeline has a game-wide theme designed to help guide the overarching plot of Previously On Battle Fantasia across timelines. There is also a list of differences from the 'final' timeline (regular BF) to help people keep things straight and create prompts for interesting scene opportunities.

Please add to the bullet point list beneath the current timeline to document significant differences as they appear. We will be adding later timelines to this page gradually, along with their notable changes from the previous timeline required to get the roleplay a'rolling.

====Timeline One====
'''THEME: FRIENDSHIP.''' ''Everyone is meeting each other for the very first time. Friendships are born, and they are beautiful. Over the course of the first timeline, the innocence and passion of the magical girl community will be powerful enough to forge a grand alliance, in some respects the opposite of the final timeline. A good opportunity for bitter enemies to become dear friends. That doesn’t mean there is no tension among magical girls, but rivalries tend to be less painful and more hopeful.''

* '''IC Starting Date: September 2013'''
* '''Starting Plots: Sister Schools Athletics Festival, Hosted By Juuban Public School; Fusion'''
:* Madoka Kaname is a newly Contracted Puella Magi and Homura Akemi is a normal girl.
:* Themes/characters that joined at game start are rolled back to... game start.
:* Later themes/characters' integration deals will need to be explained here, please add them in brief after discussing your plan with the staff.
::* '''Miraculous Ladybug''' is pretty much the same except that Hawk Moth began his plot in September 2013 instead of later on. Everyone received their Miraculouses as normal, only they're a little bit younger and cuter.
::* '''Steven Universe''' arrived in Tokyo a little earlier and a little younger, with his powers almost completely unexplored and untested (eg, early season one), because Beach City decided to make their move in 2013 instead of 2015.
::* '''Kasagami Araki''' arrived much earlier and younger in this timeline, as a middle schooler in 9th grade. She notably lacks her cynicism about the world and people in general, being overall more positive and utterly new to her powers as a Duelist.
::* The New Transfer Student List, September 2013:
:::* Homura Akemi
:::* Kasagami Araki
:::* Utena Tenjou
:::* Mai Tokiha
:::* Mikoto Minagi
:::* Makoto Kino
:::* Lera Camry
:* After an eventful transfer to Ohtori - a ''car'' was cut in ''half'' on the boat ride over - Mai is bowled over by a strange girl who moves to attack her, only to run away instead. Mai finds her fainted in a hedge, and realising how hungry she is, brings her home to make some ramen. This is apparently the best thing which has ever or will ever happen, and the girl, Mikoto, attaches to her immediately.
:* 'Buki, amidst trying to get Ohtori students to join her Animal Care Club in the days before the festival, realises that a strange girl is trying to get at the birds in the greenhouse, and meets Mikoto and the cat she's trying to help get a snack. Luckily, she always comes prepared, and she has some canned food Mikoto can offer to her friend instead. Mikoto proceeds to... help... Inori try and get club members, and in the process volunteers herself to help out, instead.
:* Mikoto and Endo meet as the two last entrants to a broom racing contest, and despite the strange match-up, they sweep the competition.
:* After rampaging into the pool, Mikoto is taken to the sports festival's first aid tent, where she is restored by a caring civilian named Yumi Ohzora. She teaches her important facts about money and ownership.
:* Homura Akemi flees the sports festival that occurs on her second day of school, feeling depressed. Madoka, Mami and Eri (a Puella Magi trio, and already fast friends) go to look for her. They find her in a labyrinth, about to be taken by a Witch, and rescue her just in time.
:* Homura, Sayaka, and Hitomi are among the civilians given MIRACLE LIGHTS by the fairy mascots, in order to give the magical girls the power to defeat Fusion. Most of them don't remember this event clearly afterwards, though Homura does.
:* Eri and Mikoto separately come upon a stray cat and start to care for her. When she gives birth, their paths collide. They recruit Madoka, Nori and Homura to help take care of the kittens, which initially are hidden in the Garden Club shed at Ohtori, and eventually are moved to the Kaname household when everyone has to get on a train to go to Hokkaido.
* '''Winter 2013 Plot: Hokkaido and the Star Shards'''
* It is Sunday, December 22nd, the day after final exams -- and the second day of the school trip to Hokkaido (which began immediately after exams ended). As everyone has known for over an IC month, the Sister Schools have decided to pack everyone up and spend their Winter Break all together in the frozen paradise of Hokkaido! For most of an IC week, everyone will be staying at the Kubota Ski Resort (with occasional organized trips into Sapporo proper), skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and enjoying the rightfully famous all-you-can-eat crab buffets! While school trips are not /technically/ mandatory, they might as well be -- parents won't let their kids get out of it. It's all been paid for out of the joint Sister Schools Initiative fund, so money is no object.
* In the last three IC months, monster-of-the-day attacks have become all too commonplace (it's mostly been youma and the occasional evil lieutenant). Magical girls have gained a little more experience and comfort with their new powers, but, a few months into their double life, are beginning to really feel the wear and tear of all those little white lies, evenings spent fighting instead of studying, and so forth.
* Characters have had numerous opportunities to meet one another and become friends off the battlefield, allies on the battlefield, or both. People are encouraged to gently hash out progress in their relationships OOCly to make sure they're on the same page, since some fast forwarding is required.
* The major scuttlebutt in the magical community has to do with seven golden "star shards" which have fallen to Earth and nestled themselves in the hearts of seven humans -- if united, they are rumored to be able to grant one single wish. Six of them have emerged (and been fiercely contested by magical girls, men in black, and monsters), though no one is sure who currently has how many. The seventh shard has yet to appear.
:* After distracting a bear from Niramo when the two of them wander away from the lodge, Mikoto becomes worried about that bear not hibernating like all the students say bears are supposed to. Dismissive explanations lead her to investigate on her own, where she runs into Eas, instead. They briefly clash, and Eas immediately exploits the upper hand as she realises that Mikoto is holding back. Luckily, she's willing to talk, if only to make demands, and after Mikoto explains that she really just is out here to investigate the bears, Eas lets her go. Mysteriously, the bear problem is solved.
:* In December 2013, Steven Universe awakens his magical powers on Hokkaido, in the midst of a dire wish to end Christmas; filled with its spirit by his friends and classmates, he manifests his shield for the first time. The resonance of his first Rose Shield tears the wish apart, returning the world to normal.
:* The Moon Princess appears very early (compared to the original timeline), on Hokkaido, after the Maiden of Nightmares sends a lethal attack at Sailor Moon which is taken by Madoka Kaname instead. The Princess wields the Ginzuishou, and a miracle occurs on Christmas Eve.
:::* The Maiden is redeemed by the unlikely forgiveness of her assumed enemies.
* '''Spring 2014 Plot: White Day and Queen Beryl'''
* It is March 13, 2014, and tomorrow is White Day -- the distaff counterpart of Valentine's in Japan, the day that girls give chocolates to their friends and loved ones. It's a stressful time. Who can find enough hours in the day to sit their final exams, defeat the forces of evil, AND make (or even buy!!) chocolate for tomorrow -- and what will happen if this symbol of romance /isn't/ realized? Especially when the battles are reaching a feverish pitch. Most of the Jewel Seeds have been found, and possession over the last few will likely make or break the outcome. The Dueling Game is in full swing. Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite and Kunzite, the Four Heavenly Kings, have died in their pursuit of the Moon Princess and her Ginzuishou, as have innumerable youma. There have been countless clashes between Magical Girls, Orphans, and men in black, clashes which are starting to seem like they serve some greater, darker purpose. Last night Sailor Moon and her Court went to the Moon, then returned with the dual burdens of terrible knowledge and a cursed sword. Everyone else woke up this morning having just experienced the same dream about it (+bbread 12/110, 12/111). The very same dream. Winter is just now yielding to spring. The bite in the air has softened into promising warmth. Tiny leaves and other nascent greenery makes the treetops look like they're inhabited by ghosts. The plum trees have blossomed, but the sakura haven't quite yet.
* In the last three IC months, the fledgling bonds of the magical girls have strengthened immeasurably through both battle and time spent in their fledgling, normal lives. Profound relationships have formed. Large sleepovers and other magical girl gatherings have become normal (though, oof, so difficult to find time for). Their might is waxing, as they come into their true power -- the deeper, stranger, more wondrous power of the heart. But so is their danger, for the very same reason, as an open heart... is a vulnerable one.
:* Sailor Moon and friends go to the Moon on the night of March 12, while everyone else suffers a disturbing silvery nightmare, so Madoka calls for a sleepover on White Day, March 14 so they can face the night with the support of one another.
:* At the sleepover, Mami Tomoe coins the group name 'Covenant of Style', which catches on like wildfire.
:* On the morning of March 15, Beryl issues her challenge to the world: threatening all life on it and daring the magical girls to stop her. They disrupt her evil ritual and she is slain at the hands of the Outer Senshi, but not before she murders her much-hated Princess Serenity first. Usagi is revived by the Ginzuishou, which responds to the feelings of her friends, and afterwards they all defeat Queen Metallia together.
:* After the events of the North Pole, Mikoto reassures Homura by carrying her up a tree and showing her how nice high places are.
* '''Summer 2014 Plot: Orphans, and an orphan'''
* It is August 6, 2014. Cicadas whirr staccatos, forcing them through the oppressively heavy air. Nary a breeze stirs across Tokyo Bay; there is no respite from the concrete-gathered might of the sun as it absorbs and re-emits from every surface in the city. Sweat beads at temples, at necklines, at the bottom of the back. But it just makes the ice cream sweeter. The resumption of school is weeks away and the obligations of summer homework might as well be on another planet. It's a long, hot, lazy summer. What a great time to be alive.
* In the last five months: After defeating Queen Metallia and returning home, the magical girls resolved the Jewel Seed Incident (approximately per canon, with the apparent death of Precia and the redemption of Fate, and also per BF canon, with the full withdrawal of the TSAB from Earth and the stranding of Lindy). In terms of trouble on the /rise/, it mostly takes the form of increased Orphan attacks (HiME are busting out all over) and greater activity by Labyrinth -- Nakewameke out the ears, as they strive to fill their Fuko Gauge to the brim, harvesting the despair of Tokyo citizens. Also, everyone went up a grade, which means some middle schoolers are now in high school. Though school is not currently in session.
* Chibi-Usa and Sailor Pluto have arrived in Tokyo. (Black Moon won't be far behind, while the Death Busters were always here but have yet to start overt operations; similarly the Wolkenritter have been present but are just now starting to become truly desperate.) And so has Northa.
:* Mai finds an Orphan during her summer job as a lifeguard, and when the night falls she and Mikoto take care of it. Then Mikoto drags her off to the party which was distracting all the civilians, even though they didn't have an invitation.
:* An Orphan attacks Sensouji Temple, threatening to eat all the cold snacks, only to be brought down by a group of magical girls. It's believed to be a lion dance with very good effects in the aftermath, and the people involved in the battle are lauded as excellent actors.
:* Mikoto continues trying to get through to Eas, finding her after a Nakewameke attack. They share donuts and surprisingly friendly conversation, and Eas gives Mikoto advance warning about her next attack.
:* Kasagami hosts a fancy summer party on behalf of the School Council, featuring the impromptu D.J., Steven Universe.
:* Mikoto and Kasagami spar and no one gets stabbed for real.
:* Steven, Niramo, Ami and Mikoto band together to create THE ULTIMATE SANDCASTLE (plus one whale lord.)
:* Mikoto drags Endo out from his job at the convenience store to go watch fireworks instead.
:* Eas creates her ultimate Nakewameke, and sends out invitations to the magical girls of Tokyo to meet her at Tokyo Tower for a showdown. She nearly succeeds--but when she emerges from her command post to talk to the assembled magical girls, Klein activates his failsafe, and they're left to save themselves /and/ her; she stays on Earth, as a (relatively) ordinary girl.
:* Marinette is caught by her parents one night talking to Chat Noir and thinks they're going out. After a date night at Marinette's residence, the fiction becomes a reality.
* '''Timeline One: Walpurgisnacht'''
:* Walpurgisnacht comes to Tokyo. The magical girls rise to confront it en masse, but not without casualties. Among them are Eri Shimanouchi and Mami Tomoe, which leaves only Madoka Kaname to deal the final blow -- which, legend says, must be dealt by a Puella Magi. She sacrifices herself in order to save the city -- and her friends. And especially Homura Akemi, who hears her last words.
:* Homura makes a Contract with Kyuubey: ''I want to redo my meeting with Kaname-san. But this time, instead of her saving me... I want to be the one to save her!'' She becomes a Puella Magi, and the magic of her wish sends her back in time... ending Timeline One.

=====Timeline One Logs=====
{{#dpl: |category = logs
|titlematch = %TIMELINE 1:%
|notcategory = News Files
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 2
|rowcolformat=width=100%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki for Timeline One.
}}
====Timeline Two====
'''THEME: DREAMS.''' ''Homura's dream has come true -- and that makes it easier for everyone else to pursue theirs, because the life of a magical girl is a whole lot safer when they have an ally who can stop time to keep them from harm. It's mostly a good thing, but there's nothing like peril to inspire rapid bonding, so although the magical girl community is still (relatively) unified, it is slightly more loosely knit than it was in Timeline One. And with a little less magical stress in their lives, people are able to focus more on their individual goals rather than joint ones -- pursuing their different, unique, beautiful dreams.''
* A few months have passed since the timeline began, along with a few major events:
:* Homura Akemi is a newly Contracted Puella Magi who has joined the Mami/Madoka/Eri konbi, and is still learning how to master her unusually difficult powers. Unable to keep the secret, Madoka spilled her guts to Sayaka about being a magical girl within the first forty-eight hours.
:* As with the original timeline, the Sports Festival was a big success, but it seems to have really inflamed competitive spirits and the rivalry between the Sister Schools is more pronounced than before.
:* Fusion was defeated without the girls being sucked inside his soul and freed by their friends and Miracle Lights; it was just a conventional (though the first physically gigantic, and still relatively dramatic) battle.
:* Believing the monster to have eaten her best friend, Puella Magi Madoka battled Dessert Witch Charlotte, alone and crippled by grief. But Sayaka Miki had just been lost in the Labyrinth, and contracted on the spot upon witnessing the battle. Madoka narrowly avoided losing her head as the two defeated their first Witch together.
:* On Hokkaido, the Maiden of Dreams was redeemed without her killing Madoka Kaname or awakening Princess Serenity (because of a timely Homura rescue). That means the identity of the Moon Princess is still a mystery, and the hunt is on. Zoisite and Kunzite are still alive and Queen Beryl has yet to enact her North Pole ritual.
:* Because the timeLOOP has begun, weird temporal effects are occurring, and one of them is that Sailor Pluto basically hit a weird patch of timenoise on her way over, and accidentally overshot her trip. She has arrived just now, in April 2014. (Chibi-Usa will still arrive post-Beryl.)
* There are other minor differences between the second and first timelines as well.
:* In haste, Sayaka wished for the first thing that came to mind. Now with each mystically assured victory the Ohtori Middle School Softball team achieves on its way to an inevitable championship, Sayaka feels less and less fulfilled...
:* Ye-jin Song arrives and is elected new captain of Ohtori Dance Club. Secretly, she's come to help hunt HiME...
:* Madoka has the unusual combination of confidence, time, and commitment to self-improvement to actually go out for sports for once. She joins the Archery Club where she studies diligently alongside Rei.
:* Natsuki and Mikoto's battle on the cruise liner was more serious this time around, and several floors were damaged, but the ship remained structurally intact. Mai's efforts have, once again, seen them going from enemies to friends.
:* Mikoto was introduced to the Puella Magi by Homura, this time, who was eager to meet her old friend again. Mikoto was initially shy, but soon warmed up to her, alongside Madoka, Eri, and the others.
:* Upon realising that Homura was trying to learn how to fight, Mikoto relented to Kasagami's attempts to get her to join Kendo club, so that she could figure out how to teach her.
:* Rather than unintentionally insulting Rei, Usagi instead pleaded for her help in the wake of the bus incidents outside Hikawa Shrine, prompting Rei to commit to protecting Usagi early.
* '''IC Starting Date: April 2014'''
* '''Starting Plots: Student Council Ball; The Jewel Seed Incident'''
* It is April 17, 2014, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom. It's the second week of the new school year. A transformative time, as students acclimate to their new classes, their new classmates, their new clubs (or incessant club recruiters, for the holdouts) -- and now, tonight, their new student councils. Elections are over, and the Sister Schools are celebrating with a shared social that really can only possibly be called a ball, because Ohtori Academy is hosting. Besides having the best venue, they also have the most surprising outcome: Kasagami Araki is the new Ohtori High School Student Council President, having won her victory by a single vote (secretly, Akio Ohtori's, because the Academy is not a democracy...).
* But life isn't just sparkling apple cider and roses. The Jewel Seeds -- called 'Lost Logia' by the offworlders pursuing them, but to any magical girl recognizable as magical jewels that contain the cross-section of terrible power and the potential to grant wishes -- have almost all been found. The dark mage Fate Testarossa, and her allies in Labyrinth, have claimed roughly half; the radiant newcomer, Nanoha Takamachi, and her friends, have the rest. Can Fate's heart be reached before something terrible happens?
:* At the 2014-2015 Sister Schools Student Council Inauguration Ball, Niramo and Takeo get in a fight with some boys who were harassing Suzuka Tsukimura and are disciplined by Kasagami in her role as the new Ohtori Student Council President. Rei and Usagi join the Dance Queen competition with predictable results. Utena encourages Anthy (a Dance Queen nominee) to attend and therefore does as well, wearing one of the dresses they were gifted by the dance committee in solidarity. Disaster strikes as Nanami (who arranged the nomination and the dresses) causes Anthy's dress to dissolve in the middle of the dance floor, but Utena comes to the rescue.
:* At a Dance Club recruitment drive held at Ohtori shortly after the Inaugurational Ball, Niramo receives some much needed confidence from both Ye-Jin and Fumiko. It's enough that Niramo actually reconsiders her choice in clubs, dropping her enrollment in the Anime Club and taking up Dance at Juuban instead.
:* Nanoha Takamachi leads the magical girls in confronting her rival Fate Testarossa; she proposes an all-out one on one duel for the Jewel Seeds, and Fate accepts. But Precia intervenes, ostensibly out of concern that Nanoha's friends will jump in and gang up on her enforcer, and forcibly duplicates Fate with magic, creating a wild battle. Despite her numbers advantage, Fate loses anyway; Precia seizes the Jewel Seeds before Nanoha can and leaves, but not before punishing Fate for her failure both physically and emotionally. Nanoha takes a broken Fate home.
::* Lindy Harlaown makes contact with Nanoha, as does Arf, who can give them the coordinates to the Garden of Time. Nanoha and her friends climb aboard the Arthra to confront Precia in her fortress before she fully activates all the Jewel Seeds and causes an existential threat to the foundations of the multiverse. Fate stays behind, but encouragement from Arf and (unexpectedly) Eas, as well as bearing witness to the support of her friends now fighting Precia in her name, allows her to regain her will to fight. She and Eas catch up and rescue the group at a crucial moment, and then everyone proceeds to confront Precia.
::* But reality is fragmenting quickly, and the group winds up having to pass through Precia's past in order to reach her in the present. A dialogue begins, but whether or not Precia's heart was moved will remain an eternal mystery, because at the moment of truth, she is murdered by Northa, Chief Executive of Labyrinth, who immediately orders Eas to join her in exterminating her allies. Eas tries to bargain with Northa for their lives, which Northa takes as disloyalty; she uses the Jewel Seeds to create doppelganger replacements for all the magical girls, INCLUDING Eas, to be her new, loyal, army. The magical girls must confront these dark reflections of themselves and defeat them before the Garden of Time collapses into less than nothingness; they manage to do so, together, and escape on the Arthra in the nick of time. In the battle, Eas is forced to destroy her Data Diamond to defeat her double, and she joins them without her powers on the ship.
::* As the Arthra returns to Earth, it is abruptly and unexpectedly destroyed by an enormous blast of Dark Energy that came from the North Pole. The magical girls (and the crew) are able to escape, teleporting back to Tokyo just in time to watch the contrails of the surprise attack fade from the sky. It's terrifying power... but now they know where they need to go to put an end to the threat of Queen Beryl.
:* Mami Tomoe and Sayaka Miki acknowledge their growing attraction to one another and begin to date. Homura Akemi and Madoka Kaname are inseparable, but not officially together.
* '''Summer 2014 Plot: North Pole'''
:* The sakura faded and the trees grew leaves -- soft breezes became oppressive heat -- and spring yielded into summer. In late June, school hasn't quite let out for vacation, but that hasn't stopped the Sailor Senshi from taking a trip to the Moon, in part hoping for a way to release the kidnapped Mamoru Chiba, now known as Dark Endymion, from Queen Beryl's brainwashing. The Midchildans, meanwhile, have finished running analyses of the blast that destroyed their spaceship, and are able to organize an operation to storm the pinpointed spot in the Arctic by surprise.
:* The magical girls get separated at the North Pole and begin fighting their way into the Dark Kingdom against the army that appears to defend it. The Inner Senshi die getting their Moon Princess into position to defeat Queen Beryl, but in the aftermath, Usagi is able to revive them. Everyone celebrates, then joins together to oppose the true dark power behind even Beryl's throne, the destructive entity Queen Metallia. The Maiden of Dreams, rescued on Hokkaido, reappears to help at this critical moment. Everyone's hearts join together, and the explosive power of their dreams defeat Queen Metallia. Overcome by their feelings and the transcendent moment, Sayaka and Mami share their first kiss.
:* However, Madoka Kaname uses up all of her magic, and collapses even as Queen Metallia is destroyed for good. Her Soul Gem becomes a Grief Seed, and she becomes a massive Witch, Kriemhild Gretchen. Her friends are forced to face this horror, but Homura Akemi turns away. Armed with the horrible truth of the Puella Magi, she jumps back to the past again to try to prevent this future from ever happening... ending Timeline Two.

=====Timeline Two Logs=====
{{#dpl: |category = logs
|titlematch = %TIMELINE 2:%
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = cutscenes
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 2
|rowcolformat=width=100%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki for Timeline Two.
}}
====Timeline Three====
'''THEME: TRUST.''' ''As in its complexities, its limitations, and its breakdown. Up until now, being a magical girl has included automatic membership in a sort of collective sisterhood -- the world has been divided into 'the magical girls' and 'the bad guys'. But a simple question changes everything: 'What if the fairy mascots and other sources of power don't actually have the magical girls' best interests at heart?' It's an unbelievable idea, but simply rejecting it means that, for some reason, Homura Akemi is trying to drive a wedge between magical girls and their mascots. In other words: not all magical girls can be trusted. Once planted, this seed of uncertainty can only continue to flower, and has done so spectacularly.''
* Numerous factors have further exacerbated the issue of trust between magical girls. Major examples include:
:* Competitions for limited magical resources, such as Star Shards, Jewel Seeds, and Grief Seeds, have all been far more intense than in previous timelines, with ugly consequences for would-be friendships.
:* Friendly fire is more of a narrative problem in this timeline than it has been (or will be) in others; even girls with the best of intentions might damage the trust of their allies by accidentally clipping them with one of their attacks, in a critical moment.
:* Magical girls are generally less willing to explain themselves and their actions to one another, since it's harder to know who to trust.
:* Secret identities are far more tightly protected than in Timelines One and Two. This means that sometimes people are friends as magical girls and, separately, friends as civilians, but that the crucial bond of trust that connects the two worlds is often missing. Sometimes, things are even more complicated, and magical girl rivals have no idea that their opposite number is their best friend at school.
* Although things are far from outright war, the magical girl community is under strain, and cracks are beginning to show. Rivalries are more heated and less friendly. 'Teams' can also sometimes be understood as 'schisms'. Conversely, true bonds of trust between individual girls are more precious and beautiful than ever. (And like all precious things -- they are vulnerable.)
* '''TIMELINE THREE IS SUBSTANTIALLY DARKER (OR, AT MINIMUM, MORE COMPLEX) THAN TIMELINES ONE AND TWO.''' It is not, however, an exercise in misery. The main 'tragedy' of the timeline, compared to the previous ones, is the environment of paranoia that has sprung up in the community. Even the most open-hearted magical girls have reasons to think more critically and carefully about their counterparts, and the ways of the world, than they normally would. (More reasons, in fact, than in the prime timeline, which did not have Homura Akemi sowing seeds of doubt from the start, nor such extreme competitions for the Star Shards and Jewel Seeds.)
* An entire year has passed since the beginning of this timeline; it is picking up several months after the last one ended, in fact (September; T2 ended in late June). All this is to say that quite a bit has happened, and happened differently, and happened in a way to put strain on trust between magical girls (while in turn forging some unbreakable bonds along the way):
:* The Fall 2013 Sports Festival, and Fusion's assault on Tokyo, occur essentially as they did in Timeline Two.
:* After spending enough time rebuilding her magical girl friendships that they'd have reason to trust her, Homura Akemi reveals the awful truth that Puella Magi are tricked by Kyuubey into accepting a fate where they will become Witches. It does not go over well, and creates a FIRESTORM of rumor and speculation that reaches all corners of the magical girl community. Everyone has heard about it. '''Nobody believes it (no exceptions!).''' Everyone has different opinions on why Homura would make such a claim, some more generous than others.
:* For a variety of reasons which certainly include heightened anxiety, magical girls' unanswered wishes are at the forefront of their minds when the Star Shards' existence becomes revealed, and the fight over them becomes (almost) as vicious between magical girls as it is between magical girls and Dark Fall demons/men in black from Ends of the World.
::*In the end, the star shards are never gathered in one place. Individual shards are painstakingly hidden by their current owners. The Maiden of Dreams remains a broken, nameless entity suffering endless torture within her seven golden prisons -- and nobody even knows that she exists.
:* The Jewel Seeds are hotly contested for basically the same reason. The Device-users of Earth do not line up neatly behind Nanoha Takamachi in her efforts to oppose Fate Testarossa; Endo Naoki especially wants to seize them for himself, which damages his relationship with Ren Aizawa.
::* Precia Testarossa does get her hands on all the Jewel Seeds eventually, after washing her hands of Fate. The magical girls are forced to unite to stop her from permanently sundering reality, and manage to do so, though not everyone participates in the operation. The Harlaowns are not involved; the Arthra is never allowed to come to Earth, due to rampant distrust between the TSAB and the Magic Association. Afterwards, Fate lives with the Takamachis.
:* Events surrounding the North Pole go more similarly to the PRIME timeline than either timelines one or two. In late summer 2014, once Usagi Tsukino is revealed as the Moon Princess, Mamoru Chiba is kidnapped and brainwashed into Dark Endymion, and the Four Heavenly Kings are dead, Queen Beryl issues her collective challenge to the magical girl community and dares them to stop her from making her dark wish.
::* Arriving in disorganized, separate groups, they fail. So, every magical girl in the world except for Sailor Moon and the Inner Senshi are banished to the Multidimensional Chaos World by the force of Beryl's wish. Adventures in bizarro spacetime ensue.
::* Back on Earth, the Inner Senshi die getting Sailor Moon past the DD Girls. She is forced to confront Beryl and Dark Endymion alone, and is narrowly able to do so. Afterwards, her wish for her friends revives the dead and recalls the missing, and everyone gathers together to put a permanent end to Queen Metallia.
::* The Maiden of Dreams is not present to help the girls gestalt their power, and so instead this battle is messy and dangerous. The magical girls triumph without anyone dying, but the aftertaste is a little bittersweet, tainted by injuries, plus the trauma of the uncontrolled dimension-hopping which resulted from Beryl's dark wish.
:* The World Tree roars onto everyone's radar when it's attacked by weird, sword-wielding shadows seemingly trying to disrupt a mysterious sparkly magical girl ritual, and by the end of summer everyone knows it exists, that it's a vitally important conduit of Earth's magical power, and that there's a more-and-less subtle battle being waged between men in black, Dark Fall demons and operatives (especially agents of Labyrinth such as Eas and Soular), Orphans, and the Magic Association, for control of the nexuses of magic that harness the World Tree's strength.
:* The Outer Senshi are present, active and renowned for their brutal determination to save the world by any means necessary without bothering to explain their methods -- in other words, they're the poster girls for how not all magical girls can be trusted.
:* The Wolkenritter are also getting active, creating rumors about magical girls who attack other magical girls in dark alleys -- and fear.
:* Drawn to investigate the source of the crazy rumor about Puella Magi and Witches, Kyouko Sakura and other Puella Magi close in on the Konbi's neighborhood. There aren't enough Grief Seeds to go around, and the question of hunting familiars becomes crucial. Tensions are rising.
:* Summer vacation happened. There was no trip to Okinawa. The return of school is something of a relief for kids stuck in the sweaty concrete prison of Tokyo.
:* Despite everything, magical girls also give each other reasons to trust one another as well. Every day is another act of kindness. Every friendship is its own miracle.
* There are other differences between the second and third timelines as well.
:* You are encouraged to add other differences between the second and third timelines to this list!
:* Please put your September 2013-September 2014 differences here, they're fun and interesting to imagine, especially as things have changed quite a bit between timelines two and three! Weird temporal effects continue to justify larger changes, such as when a character first came to Tokyo or first became a magical girl, as long as it happened after September 2013 (the beginning of Homura's time loops). Please run truly strange ideas by the staff first.
:* Mikoto Minagi and Natsuki Kuga's battle on the ship was once again more serious, with a large hole blown through several floors to expose the fight to the sky, but the ship managed to retain its structural integrity.
:* Mikoto spends a lot of her time searching for her brother, and so she has no time for clubs. Most of her associations are people she's met through Mai; on her own she is awkward and gruff, and does not generally reach out to make friends. Much of her involvement in early magical conflicts simply came down to the fact that Mai was there, rather than any urge of her own to get involved. What was seen as feline whimsy in the prime timeline now becomes much more suspicious: why does Mikoto so often go off on her own? Where was she when they needed help at the North Pole, or when Precia was threatening the world? And why does she keep herself shrouded in such mystery..?
:* The strain of the magical community means that Mikoto has had less exposure to kind life lessons, and so she is a much fiercer fighter. Mai has made what she doesn't approve of clear, and so Mikoto generally tries to avoid killing or doing severe injury to human opponents and will defend civilians, but she has no compunctions against hitting her opponents so hard that they don't want to get up again. She has a wild and unrestrained fighting style which makes it very easy for mistakes to happen and for allies to get hit.
:* Endo Naoki more than briefly considered using the Jewel Seeds to grant his own wish, leading to various squabbles with other Mages. He eventually came around to help stop Precia Testarossa, but harsh feelings may remain. With less sources of trusted support Endo tries to shoulder more of Tokyo's burdens, and listens more closely to the advice of his intelligent device, Fallen Stern.
:* Ye-jin Song is hunting HiME. . .
:* Shizuru Fujino is moving in secret towards the goals of Ends of the World. As the men in black continue to show up at various flashpoints of magical import, a woman in black with a strange red naginata often accompanies them. Her identity is unknown, but she has already shown a frightening ruthlessness that only adds to the cloud of suspicion in place.
:* Rei Hino was much more immediately suspicious of Luna's story of destiny, though she did eventually accept a place in the team. She is fiercely protective of her magical identity, and few people know outside of the Inner Senshi. She has come down especially hard on Usagi, viewing her crybaby idealism as unsuited to the strenuous climate of magical Tokyo. She's hard on the rest of the Senshi, too - and everyone else she comes to care at all about. She is unwilling to trust the rogue elements of the community, and even after a year, is slow to open her heart to her friends. She still carries the fear that if she comes to trust and rely on others, she will be betrayed and tossed aside.
:* Kasagami Araki joins at the end of summer vacation 2014 as the new Student Council Disciplinary Executive, despite being a transfer student and having only just entered the school. She is much more cynical this timeline, having worked for Ends of the World before coming to Ohtori. As DE, she has been put in charge of the civilian patrols for the 'vampires' on campus...and has enthusiastically been assisting in the hunt for HiME as well as the goals of Ends of the World.
:* Ladybug is incredibly secretive, being very formal in her interactions with other magical girls in order to preserve her secret identity. Even her ostensible partner, Chat Noir, gets to hear little more than business from her. Where exactly she's based is hard to tell, as she shows up for monster attacks across Tokyo - though she seems fastest to respond to attacks near Infinity, and takes the longest to appear when attacks happen near Juuban. Unbeknown to ''everyone'', this is because Marinette intentionally waits when there's an attack close to home - a devotion to secrecy that has even Tikki irritated.
:* Sourisi isn't known to be trusting of other magical girls and boys in this timeline, and the only magical entity able to be considered a friend is Takk. Seeing an opportunity in Takk's curiosity and fascination with technology, she has been putting much more effort in learning electric engineering. This has given rise to the placement of hidden mics and low-grade cameras places throughout Tokyo as Niramo tries to figure out who exactly she can and can't trust outside of her magical identity. Unsurprisingly, Ladybug, Chat Noir and Serpentina have the biggest files as she tries to crack their identities.
* '''IC Starting Date: September 2014'''
* '''Starting Plot: SEARRS Invasion'''
* It is September 10, 2014, and Southern Cross Island is apparently infested by vampires. Or maybe it's a stalker. At any rate, girls who go out alone at night are being found unconscious and, from the disarray of their possessions, have been searched for valuables. Magical girls suspect that this is really someone trying to identify them within the ordinary student population of Ohtori Academy. The school has implemented an extremely strict campus curfew enforced by Disciplinary Executive patrols, however, which makes it slightly more difficult to mount the kind of MAGICAL patrols needed to investigate and guard against the real threat. Those who've taken the risk anyway have discovered that the true perpetrators are Orphans -- the native demonic enemy that HiME were born to fight. But Orphans have always seemed mindless in their monstrosity. Could something -- or someone -- be directing their actions?
* From a more normal perspective, summer is finally over, Fall Semester is in session, and for 9th-graders especially, it also brings High School Entrance Exams into focus as a looming existential threat to their ordinary lives. It is harder than ever to find enough time for it all.
* The Fall 2014 Sports Festival is coming up soon. Juuban had it last year, and now it's Ohtori's turn to host, and despite the campus safety issues the plan seems to be moving forward. That makes it roughly the one-year anniversary of most magical girls' careers; a time for reflection. How have things changed since they discovered the world of magic? How have THEY changed?

=====Timeline Three Logs=====
{{#dpl: |category = logs
|titlematch = %TIMELINE 3:%
|notcategory = News Files
|notcategory = cutscenes
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 2
|rowcolformat=width=100%
|suppresserrors = yes
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki for Timeline Three.
}}

[[Category:Special Events]]

2019-02-07 - TIMELINE 2: Toast and Talk

2019-02-08T00:40:07Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: TIMELINE 2: Toast and Talk'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Ye-jin's plans fall through after a joint Dance Club meeting, and she takes Niramo out for dessert to fill up unused time. There's hidden depths found alongside sweet treats.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Ye-jin Song]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Harajuku Trendy District - European Restaurant
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2/6/2019 - 4/26/2014
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Harajuku Trendy District +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
A street like Takeshita likes to warn its visitors what they're getting
into. Mounted on chromed gates, LED displays draw rainbows and flowers over
and over, cheerfully welcoming one and all, and beneath them the road has
just enough downward incline to appreciate just how many people have
accepted the invitation. This street is the heart of Harajuku, street
fashion capital of Japan and a world-famous mecca for youth culture.

Daring, experimental styles compete and combine here in a free-form paradise
of sartorial Darwinism. There's a place for frilly gothic lolita, glam-rock
visual kei, and even interpretations of Western styles like punk rock, and
only the boring is forbidden. Particularly on Sundays, young people treat
Harajuku like a catwalk, inspiring and inspired by the hip local designers
who run small shops here, all looking to create the next big thing. The
corporations moved in long ago, and so plenty of big international chains
have thrown their hat into this lively arena.

Harajuku is rare among the elite fashion districts of the world, however, in
that it is still genuinely youth-driven. Where Paris's Trocadero would have
an expensive cafe, Harajuku has a famous McDonald's. Cutesy candy shops,
crepe stands, and kitschy tee-shirt stalls combine with a whimsical
aesthetic to make Harajuku's target audience clear. This district is good
for wasting money fast, but it's mostly allowances and part-time paychecks
it's gobbling, and so the prices it demands are surprisingly -- dangerously
-- reasonable.

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Dance practice is done and Ye-jin needs a distraction. A phone call after the joint dance club
meetup had left her in a bad mood--until Niramo threw herself into the line of fire. Which seems to
have had more a more beneficial result than not, as the older girl seems to have decided that Niramo
will now be her entertainment for the evening now that her original plans are cancelled. This means
free dinner!

The place is Harajuku, the time early in the evening. The streets, like most Tokyo streets, are
packed. Here the primary occupants are the younger generation, trendy students and young adults who
pack the streets to indulge in the latest fashion crazes, the most trendy accessories, and very many
crepes. It's one of Ye-jin's favorite places in Tokyo, and despite being a foreigner she navigates
it with the ease and assurance of a life-long Tokyoite.

Her restaurant of choice is several stories above the busy streets, up long flights of stairs and
past a well-dressed doorman that bows deeply as both Ye-jin and her guest pass. The interior is
fabulously baroque, like stepping off the streets of Tokyo and into an European mansion. Chandeliers
grace the ceiling, gold curtains line the windows, and plush booths line the walls for potential
clientele. The waitstaff are uniformed butlers (because that, in fact, is what kind of cafe this is)
and one of whom guides their two guests to a table near a window.

"How are you liking your club, Niramo-chan?" Ye-jin asks this as she flips open a menu. As might be
expected, most of the things on it are extravagantly expensive. More than half of it is dedicated to
sweets. "Is it keeping you out of trouble?"

And, more importantly, "Did you know they have honey toast here? I can't eat it by myself, but we
could split it." She says it very matter of factly. It's probably not an option.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Where most people would have done their best to quietly slip out the nearest door or window whenever
Ye-jin Song is in a bad mood, Niramo had done her best to defuse the situation head on. That, and Ye-
jin was having her argument over the phone out in public, and no one needed to hear every little
detail. Helping a friend in need was the only thing on Niramo's mind, but if helping the Dance
Captain of Ohtori relax gets her a free dinner, then perhaps all the better!

Harajuku isn't where Niramo had expected the limousine to take them to (neither was she expecting a
ride in a limo!), and is certain to stay near Ye-jin as she leads here through the streets of the
fashion mecca. Fashion has never interested the ravenette from Juuban all that much, and spending
her small allowance on a new skirt that was going to be 'out' by the end of the season never sounded
like a wise investment. Not when there's figurines of anime heroines and retro games to be bargained
over!

As the doorman let Ye-jin and herself walk by and into the fancy restaurant, Niramo does her best to
ignore the butterflies starting to flap in her stomach as she readjusts her cardigan to be as smooth
as possible. Frequent trips to Ohtori to visit Ye-jin and Kasagami has aacclimated Niramo to marble
pillars and snooty looks, but there's always that feeling that she doesn't belong when she is around
the upper crust of society.

Not that she's going to bother Ye-jin about this. Friends shouldn't complain about where a friend
hangs out!

Thankfully Ye-jin is able to distract the short Juuban student from her disbelief over these prices.
Even some of the cheaper snacks are more than her monthly allowance! "Oh, well...it's taking some
adjusting to being so active after school now, but i'm fitting in rather well with the rest of the
club. Your recruitment drive was a big hit with the Juuban club, and there's around a dozen more
members at my school alone." Not being the only new person makes it easier to relax when she messes
up an exercise or misstep in practice.

The menu is lowered, and Niramo sticks her pink tounge out at the older girl playfully from across
the table. "Yes, Ye-jin-san. I been making sure to stay away from artisan sodas and tuxedos, so
there hasn't been any more mishaps!" The fact that she can start to joke about the Ball means she's
feeling more relaxed about that painful memory.

Even with this being her first time in the restaurant, the stories about the honey toast is almost
legendary with Juuban sweet tooths. Artisan pastry chefs carefully craft these delicacies from
scratch, and after today's joint workout, some sugar is certainly welcome.

Closing her menu shut, Niramo bobs her head once in agreement, shoulder-length straight hair
rustling from the movement. "I certainly do not mind sharing, and what kind of a friend would I be
if I let you take it on alone anyways?"

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Ye-jin seems pleased to hear confirmations of her success with the dance club efforts, and nods her
head accordingly. "That's nice." She says, adding, "I'm sure we'll do more joint activities in the
future, so we can make sure you all get up to speed."

Her smile remains at Niramo's response to her teasing. "I'm glad to hear that. I heard about what
you did, you know?" She seems amused more than anything, continuing, "At least you had the tact not
to start a fistfight in the middle of the ball, right?"

The waiter arrives in the meantime to take orders. Ye-jin orders the lavish looking box of bread and
fruits, making motion to Niramo to decide on her drink and anything extra. When the waiter asks for
her order he refers to Niramo too as 'oujo-sama', and applies the same amount of deep reverence to
her whims.

When orders are finished and the server leaves, Ye-jin focuses on her guest once again. "You're from
Juuban." She says, considering this for several moments. "What's it like there? Do they have any
events like Ohtori's?" She says this with idle curiosity, as if she'd never actually spoke to
someone from that particular sister school before. "Do you actually like it there?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

More joint activities? If it's anything like their first session, it was going to be grueling
exercises and dances that will put even seasoned dancers through the wringer. Not that it's not
unfair towards the dance clubs. Say what you will about Ye-jin, she's a strick taskmistress but a
fair one and if someone seems to be struggling, they are given just a little more attention. "That
would be a big help, and I thank you for that. I'm not the most physically active, but i'm catching
up quickly."

Not for the first time, Niramo bemoans the fact magical endurance and enhancements are not around
when transformed. It would make life so much easier...

Her smile only grows once Ye-jin mentions the teen who through the punch at the bully she sprayed
down with soda. While the memory of his name has dimmed, it would be hard to forget how he helped
joined in against the harrassers. "That's true, but he did quite well with his punishment. And I
just couldn't let the upperclassment keep on tormenting the elementry student. I...just wished I
handled it in a way that didn't grab so much attention." There's pride, but embarrasment there as
well.

It's not often '-sama' is heard, but especially not when applied to Niramo, and it takes her a
moment to realize she was also being addressed. Quickly glancing through the menu for a drink
selection, Niramo requests a cup of raspberry tea, as well as banana, strawberry and chocolate to be
served with her portion. The honey toast is already going to be plenty sweet, but more can be
merrier here!

Ye-jin's questions are considered carefully, and the Juuban dancer taps a fingertip to her lips as
she gathers her thoughts. "Well, there's plenty of events I enjoy at Juuban, like the Girl's Day
display or the various events hosted by the clubs, but it's nowhere as extravagant as Ohtori's or
even Infinity's events." Not that it's a bad thing in itself. Creativity can win the day where money
fails.

"I do enjoy being at Juuban. Ohtori is very grand and one of the most influential schools in all of
Japan, but...it's some of the people there, you know?" Niramo waves her hand, certain that Ye-jin
has an idea of what she means. "If you're not of wealth or of importance, they tend to look down on
you, much as I hate to say it. I try to be nice to everyone but I always feel more relaxed at Juuban."

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

"There's nothing wrong with getting attention." Ye-jin notes, accepting her own drink when it's
delivered. It appears to be a very creamy coffee, a stylized heart floating in the center. "Only the
way you get it." She lifts her cup between her fingers, sipping daintily at the rim. "When you act
with authority, people will respect you." Ye-jin might even respect the smaller girl a little more
for her efforts, despite the mess she made.

"Oh?" She asks, of Juuban's events. "I'm sure they do their best." The words may come off as a bit
patronizing, but the tone behind them is more conversational than antagonistic. "Girls day is the
one with the dolls, isn't it? I wish I had a set of those." Ye-jin doesn't have an analog for that
particular festival, it seems.

"Mmm." She says, musing on Niramo's assessment of Ohtori. She does not immediately voice her
agreement, instead asking: "Do you think they look down on you, Niramo?" She follows that up with a
second question shortly after, "Are you not important?"

It's around this time that the food is delivered. True to her word, Ye-jin has only ordered the
bread. And what a magnificent bread it is, a heavenly brick french toast slathered in whip cream,
chunks of fruit and ice cream adorning its top. Other ice cream ordered arrives as well, delivered
with deep bows before their butler scurries away.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Wise words from a wise heir, with several examples come to mind. Kasagami Araki, now Student
President at Ohtori, and Setsuna Meioh as well, the patient and kind tutor from Infinity. Both them
and Ye-jin walk and talk with respect, even if their 'authority' is quite different from one another.
If there was a way to balance authority and kindness...taking a sip of her pale raspberry tea,
Niramo lets out a 'hmmm' of delight. She wasn't much of a tea person, but this blend might change
her mind. "So it's not attention itself that is bad, just what you do with it, Ye-jin-san?"

Ye-jin mentions desiring a set of dolls used during Girl's Day, and Niramo is suprised until she
reminds herself that the Dance Captain isn't a native to Japan. "It's bad luck to bring the dolls
out for display before the holiday, but I do have pictures of the set I have at home. There's one I
made myself when I was younger, a loyal samurai. If I find any pictures, i'll let you know!" It's
clear the holiday is enjoyed by Niramo, even if she's getting a bit too old for it. Fond memories,
perhaps?

The questions fired back in response are undexpectedly heavy, and Niramo looks down at her tea cup
and the pale liquid within. Not exactly the questions she expected, but maybe Ye-jin is looking for
an outside perspective? "Well, i'm almost certain they do. During the Dream Faire, three students
from Ohtori tried to atoganize Fuu-san just because of her dream and her school. As for me...maybe
not right now? I like that to change, even if I don't believe i'm quite ready for responsibility..."

There's a finger running along the rim of Niramo's tea cup now as she tries to not let the mood get
too awkward. Some insecurities being shown tonight as well, it seems...

Thankfully, dessert saves the day yet again! The arrival of the honey toast, fruit, ice cream and
whip cream is one the Juuban student is quite grateful for, and she's quick to bring a portion of
the toast to a smaller plate just for her. After a moment's hesitation, Niramo simply decide to give
herself smaller scoops of all the different flavors of ice cream as well as a fair assortment of the
fruits.

Before she digs it, however, there is one question lingering on Niramo's mind. "Ye-jin-san, if you
don't mind me asking, why all the questions about Juuban? Are you curious about the other schools?"

<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Ye-jin dips her head shortly, replying, "How you get attention is what's important. If people
recognize you deserve it, than it's fine." He takes another sip of her drink, adding, "I expect
people to show me respect, and they do."

"You can show me a picture of it sometime," She adds of the doll. "I could buy a set, but it's only
for little girls, right?" She taps her finger to the table, considering.

She's distracted from those thoughts by Niramo's next assertion. "Did they?" She asks, making no
comment of the validity of whatever accusations the girl made. Instead, it's Niramo's hesitation
that she focuses on. The wine haired girl reaches to pluck up nearby knife and fork, beginning to
carve into the block of toast. "If you don't think you're important, why should anyone else?" It's a
pointed question, meant to provoke further thought from her guest.

Ye-jin, once she's removed a chunk of toast to plop on her tiny plate, wastes no time in spearing a
strawberry to take a bite out of. She chews, dabbing napkin at her mouth before offering a bright,
toothy smile to the girl across from her. "Oh, not really." She says of her sister schools. Which
might come off a bit dismissive, but at least it's tempered by: "I just wanted to learn about you,
Niramo-chan."

"Let's talk about something else. Golden Week is coming up, do you have any plans?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's only the fancy atmosphere of the restaurant and the fact it would be rude to Ye-jin that prevents Niramo from pulling out a notepad. She'll just need to make a mental note to put it on her smartphone in the future. There's some good advice there! "You do know what you're talking about, and others respect you for it."

A nod of her head is all the confirmation Ye-jin needs when it comes to Girl's Day. "Of course! I know I took photos on my phone last time, so i'll send them to you later! And not exactly, it's more like a holiday to celebrate the childhood in a girl's life."

Yet another pointed question, one that Niramo needs to think over and examine first before responding. "So...it's a matter of self-confidence, then? That i'm only as important as I make myself out to be?" Fumiko does carry herself well around others, enough that you tend to take notice of her. Maybe there's a chance for 'importance' training?

Frozen dairy, chilled fruit and golden toast blends perfectly well together, and it's a mirror for how sweet Ye-jin is right now. She may not actually care about the other two Sister Schools, but those that catch her attention and consider a friend? Just like Fumiko, the Dance Captain is likely loyal to those that let her in. "None at the moment, Ye-jin-san! I think I might spend a day shopping by myself, but if you want to do anything, say the word."

Yes, Ye-jin Song is a good friend.

2019-02-03 - TIMELINE 2: Positive Feedback

2019-02-05T02:24:20Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: TIMELINE 2: Positive Feedback'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Niramo's duties as a magical girl is starting to impact her grades and a science project almost falls through the cracks! She hurries to get the project done from scratch the day before it's due and recieves help from a tutor from Infinity, a Setsuna Meioh.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Setsuna Meioh]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Juuban Public Schools - Science Lab
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2/3/2019 - 4/22/2014
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.***************** Shitamachi Low City - Juuban Public School *****************.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Science Lab +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The science lab is a particularly large classroom, with elevated counters
topped with chemical-resistant material. Large cabinets filled with various
beakers, tubes, and equipment line the walls, some locked to protect more
hazardous material. An oddly jovial-looking skeletal model hangs near the
doorway, and next to him is an orange-fauceted emergency shower. The windows
fold open vertically, and during good weather they tend to remain so,
offering plenty of fresh air.

No classes are based out of this room; instead it is used on a rotating
basis for laboratory sessions. After school, it plays host to the Juuban
Science Club, an unusually ambitious club whose interests range from using
chemistry to make new candies and perfumes, to amateur robotics, to genuine
scientific research.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The timing of the upcoming science project could have been better. With the hunt for the Jewel Seeds
winding down to a close, the fiasco of the Inaugurational Ball that Niramo was involved in, and the
new Dance Club activities she's trying to adjust to, there has been little time for Niramo to focus
on her schoolwork.

It's lucky for the Juuban student when Takk, exhausted as both of them were after coming back from
the Garden of Time, decided to look through her school bag and come across the barely-started lab
notes on her plan. That was important, but what was also important was the fact it was due at school
very soon. "Oh. Niramo, wasn't this supposed to be done on Thursday?"

The life of a magical girl is not an easy one. There's always mundane or supernatural deadlines that
like to sneak up on you!

That's why, while most other students were already on their way home once school let out, Niramo is
in a science lab at Juuban and working away on her project. Trying to compile several day's worth of
work into a few hours is going to be stressful no matter what, hence why the ravenette looks harried.
And since all of the equipment she needed was at school, there's no way for Takk to assist her in
private.

(Besides, Takk would see this as a prime teaching moment for Niramo to stop putting homework off.
"You're starting to become nearly as bad as Marinette!")

A boy in the ninth year is exiting the lab after putting the finishing touches on a rather
magnificiant multi-layer volcano display, leaving Niramo to be the last one in the lab now. Bits of
wires, LED lights, thread, and a squeeze bottle of paint surround the centerpiece of the project on
the workstation, a cotton glove.

There is some wires already sticking out of it around the wrist section, and Niramo was currently
doublechecking some notes she hurriedly jotted down this morning. "Wait...was the lights supposed to
go upwards or downwards with the current...?"

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Meioh [Infinity Institute (#-1)] has posed.

When Infinity's university physics department offered a sign-up sheet for tutoring science labs at
the Sister Schools, transfer student and astrophysics prodigy Setsuna Meioh signed up immediately.
It wasn't like her to sign up for such activities; the elegant, reclusive student did not often
spend her precious time on electives.

But she had a vested personal interest in checking out Juuban, just as she had a vested professional
interest in surveilling Infinity. The center of Sailor Pluto's universe walks these well-worn halls
every schoolday. Given this opportunity, she would see what the school Small Lady attends is like.

"You have put together quite the display, young man," she offers from the lab table the boy just
left behind, her voice low and warm, where she'd been offering some last minute advice. "Remember,
slow deep breaths before your presentation."

In her crisp white labcoat with dark dress beneath and her wire-frame eyeglasses she looks the model
scientist -- in that she looks like a scientist who could also be a model. Dark high cheekbones, and
red-violet eyes of unusual depth give her a striking and almost otherworldly appearance.

Yet here she is, in this world, the Tokyo of Here and Now (or is it Here and Then?), helping Juuban
students with their science projects. She has her reasons, but Setsuna finds she also simply enjoys
the interaction with young minds.

Now Setsuna turns to the last remaining projecteer with a small smile, and adjusts her coat sleeves
as she walks over. She must at least 180cm tall! And her evergreen hair must be nearly that long,
yet it somehow never brushes the ground nor suffers a tangle...

"And how is your project coming along?" Interest sparkles in her eyes as she leans down to inspect
Niramo's handiwork, then straightens up to regard Niramo herself. "Ah, electronics. What are you
making?" Her head tilts, and she offers the same introduction she did when she opened the lab after
class hours: "My name is Setsuna Meioh, and I am a university science student at Infinity. How may I
call you?" She has a formal way of speaking, but it feels natural, not stiff, coming from her.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The ninth year student is putting that advice to good use right now, taking in a deep breath before
bowing his head towards the tutor from Infinity. "Hai, Meioh-san. The formula for the mixture you
suggested is a touch a genius. Everything should go smoothly tomorrow now, and thank you again!"
With a slight blush, he hurries from the room, though he appears to have left a small slip of paper
next to his project behind.

Why he had left behind a handwritten note of just his home phone number could be explained a number
of different ways...

Niramo's Juuban school uniform is a little ruffled from her work-focused mind, needless to say. Her
red cardigan was resting on the back of a steel chair, leaving her white blouse and black skirt on
public display. The shoulder-length black hair tickles the back of Niramo's neck, and her forest
green eyes flicker back and forth between the design she made and the work in progress. There was a
little exhaustion in her eyes, but it's easily covered by the smile on her lips, stressed as she was.

Not for the first time this evening, Niramo's mentally kicking herself for not working on this
project when she had the chance. Saburai-san may not be science teacher for the middle schoolers,
but he was going to be on the panel of judges and would likely use any excuse to discredit her work.
He's always seemed to have a grudge with her for some unexplained reason, even if she could never
prove it...

Jumping with a start, Niramo turns around hurriedly when Setsuna walks up to her from behind, caught
up in her work. Of course the tutor was still here, even if she didn't want to bother her. Some
illogical part of her mind said that it would be a show of weakness if she asked for help in this
stage, even if she so needed it. Turning around, Niramo responds, meaning to give some excuse that
all is well. "O-oh, yes, tutor-san. I just..."

Oh. Oooooh. She hadn't noticed when she hurried walked by the Infinity tutor before, but...she was
-tall-. There had to be at least a 40 cm difference between the two, and Niramo had to crane her
neck back just to look into those red-violet eyes. They were quite focused on her as well-oh, right!

Bowing her head in apology, Niramo makes a motion towards her handiwork. "W-well...it's...getting
there? I never really built something with electornics before, but a friend of mine suggested I
tried to expand my horizans beyond cooking. I...might have bitten off more than I could chew."

Setsuna Meioh is the aid from Infinity's name, and Niramo's face brightens slightly with the
somewhat reserved yet cheerful nature. So much like an elegant, more taller Wakatsuki!...much, much
taller. "I'm Niramo Umokeshi, and i'm in the eight year at Juuban. As for my project..." Niramo
reaches over with her hand and starts to wiggle the gloves' fingers.

"What i'm trying to do is instale LED lights into the glove's fingers, and have them turn on and off
depending on how you move them. I think I even figured out a way to make them change color based on
how much pull is on the wires, but..." Here, Niramo pulls on the waistband of the glove, showing the
battery and the wires installed inside. "I...think I might have messed up on the current? And the
lights need to be installed based on which way the current is going to go..."

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Meioh [Infinity Institute (#-1)] has posed.

In a single smooth motion Setsuna slides the boy's note from the lab table and glances down at it.
An evergreen eyebrow lifts; with a small and bemused shake of her head, she folds and palms the slip
of paper. "Well, Umokeshi-san, have my appreciation for your patience while I helped the others.
That patience will serve you well in the sciences, so you are off to an excellent start." The
Guardian of Time has an appreciation the quality.

The university student gives Niramo's glove a second look as the girl explains its purpose. "I see,
so that is your current challenge," she comments with a sphinx-like smile. As an Outer Senshi, she
only indulges in the very most sophisticated type of humor, of course.

"Your glove will be quite a sight. Let us think: what do we need to do here?"

She pulls out a drawer beneath the lab table and withdraws two pairs of rubber safety gloves,
passing one to Niramo. "There are ways to determine the direction of this kind of current, if you
are not sure. In the cabinet by your knees, you will find a small red meter with two cables which
end in metal prongs."

It's right where she says, an oblong plastic gadget fitted with a digital readout and a dial. One
cable is red, the other black.

"This is a voltmeter, quite useful. Safety first. Once you have your gloves on, touch the red probe
to one end of your power wire and the black to another. If the meter reads positive, it flows from
red to black." She gives the instructions, clear and simple, and walks around the lab table to watch
from the other side of it.

On her way around she lets that palmed piece of paper flutter into the trash can on the other side,
discreetly disposing of it. Setsuna Meioh was both amused and flattered, in a distant sort of way;
Sailor Pluto has no intention of dating. She's here for a reason. Then the gloves go on, but she
stays hands-off, letting Niramo give it a try.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Niramo's eyes widen slightly in surprise when she realizes when Setsuna mistook her reluctance to
ask for help as patience and understanding. It's...not what she meant to do at all, but if the tall
tutor doesn't actually mind helping... "I...thank you, Meioh-san. You were so kind an patient to
help out others, and I didn't want to intrude while you were busy..."

It was close enough to the truth, so even her abysmal poker face can stand a chance here. Let here
think the better of Niramo for it!

Thankfully, Niramo's time with two geniuses of technology, one human and one Kwami, has manage to
let Niramo catch the humor almost instantly, and her smile looks a bit more relaxed for it.
"Shocking revelation, I know, but at least i'm not trying to make a Volts-wagon."

Chat Noir and Serpentina might be enabling these puns.

It was only the screwdrivers and needles that Niramo thought she needed for this project, but
Setsuna offers a crucial piece of safety gear, even if Niramo thinks it isn't needed. It was only a
small watch battery, so the shock shouldn't be that bad!

The voltmeter is retrieved first, as this cabinet requires a bit of tugging to pull it open, and
floppy bits of yellow rubber isn't the best way to get a grip. Slipping her hands into the gloves
and trying to ignore the mental image of a child playing dress-up due to how oversized they were,
Niramo takes the two colored wires out of their holders. Following the kind instructions, she holds
the prongs onto two opposite ends of the battery, the answer to her dilemma is given easily enough
and a heavy weight is loosen from her shoulders.

"Oh, that's good! According to the instructions, the result means it's going through the pinky
finger portion of the glove first!" Disconnecting the battery first, Niramo is quick to start
connecting the LEDs on the thumb section now that she knows the proper direction. The thread and
needle is only needed to tie it down more securely, so not even her abysmal tailoring skills can
mess this up!

Taking the time to write a quick note down in the notebook for something needed for the display,
Niramo looks back up towards Setsuna. "Thanks again for your assistance, Meioh-san. You said you're
an university student at Infinity Institute, right? If you know this much about electrical work, is
that your degree...or is it engineering?" Neither seem to fit the green-haired beauty. With hair
that long and her charming face, the tutor looks like she could be modeling her lab coat on a
catwalk!

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Meioh [Infinity Institute (#-1)] has posed.

For better and for worse, Setsuna Meioh does tend to think the better of people; a woman of dark
goals and a trusting heart. "I am here to help," she replies, with a calm surety. It is the truth in
a great many ways, though here and now it can also simply apply to a science project. "It is no
intrusion, and now I am not busy at all."

Perhaps she notices a bit of nervousness from Niramo, but she is too kind and mannered to mention it
if so. She just allows those burgundy-painted lips of hers to twitch in appreciation for the return
pun volley: a mild-seeming reaction, but she is not a demonstrative woman. Setsuna may as well have
chuckled aloud.

"Safety is an important habit to be in, whenever you handle electronics," she intones. Setsuna Meioh
is a careful person who takes responsibilities seriously, and Niramo is one of those, right now.
"There we go... Yes, you have it. That is precisely the way. It takes very little pressure --
electricity is eager to make a connection." And they have an answer!

"Excellent work, Umokeshi-san. If you double over your stitch there, you can be more sure it will
all hold together for a long day of use. It would be a shame for all this hard work of yours to go
undone by a weak thread."

She points it out with a grey-lacquered fingernail. "Were you going to make a mate for it as well,
for your other hand? Ah, not engineering," she responds. "I study in the physics department."
There's a considering pause as Setsuna debates how specific to get, then goes for it. "Astrophysics,
specifically. You could say that the more esoteric workings of the universe are my specialty."

A sphinx could not smile more subtly.

"And you, Umokeshi-san? Is this project representative of your mind's passions, or is it a badly
-needed grade?" No judgement -- she's a student too, after all. "And how well does Juuban meet your
needs?" She has a keen interest in how well this school is educating a certain pink-haired princess;
in this, she's more like an anxious guardian than a fellow student.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

If there's any sort of nervousness that Niramo feels from this conversation, it's from the fact she
might be judged by the Infinity student and not the inpending deadline. The Ball at Ohtori is still
fresh in her mind, but the fact that there doesn't seem to be any rumors from that fiasco is only
increasing Niramo's paranoia. But as time goes on, it seems to be all for not. There's only kind
eyes and gentle words of encouragement, and being from Infinity is only helping Setsuna's case.
Especially if she laughs at some bad puns!

Mild admonishment is taken in stride, and Niramo nods her head in agreement. "I'll try to keep that
in mind. Wakatsuki-chan, a friend of mine, makes electronics like this herself, and she's always
worried about static electricity. I think i'm starting to see this is a lot more difficult than I
imagined..." Safety gloves is removed and set aside on top of the voltmeter for now.

There's so many things that can go wrong here, so a guiding hand is greatly appreciated.

Electricial and tailoring knowledge? Niramo's eyebrows raises up in surprise even as she tries to
double down on the stiches, and the LED light fits more securely for it. "You know quite a bit,
Meioh-san! Uh, no offense, but you didn't seem to be the type to take up needle and thread." With
hair that long, Niramo could see herself mistaking a hair as a colorful thread and weaving her head
into a glove.

The mention of a matching glove has Niramo's free hand rub at the back of her neck even has her face
colors in embarrassment. "Uh...well, it's not needed, thankfully. I just need to have something to
demostrate and show off. I...may have started on this project at the last minute, but not that I was
being lazy!" (Being lazy was part of it.) "I been helping some friends with projects of their own,
and I let my own project get behind of it."

Not lying, but it seems odd to call collecting the Jewel Seeds a project.

The question marks can almost be seen popping above the ravenette's head as she puzzles this field
of science. "Astrophysics? So...like a rocket scientist? No...oh, it's the study of the stars, like
being on the search for new planets, right?" That sounds more like it, and Setsuna doesn't seem the
type to write things out on massive blackboards.

It's a half-hearted shrug that answers that final question before Niramo speaks. "It's for a grade.
I'm much better at cooking, and I been going beyond just making sweets and pastries, but...i'm not
quite sure what I want to study yet. High school still seems so far away, and when I try to think on
what I want to do for a living...well, I just draw a blank."

Marinette already knows exactly what she wants to do with her life. Niramo just needs to find a
passion to carry her forward. If only it wasn't so hard to find...

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Meioh [Infinity Institute (#-1)] has posed.

"A stray bit of static can ruin much, to be sure. That is wise of her. It may be difficult, but if
you take your time... well, patience pays off." It seems the university student is a great believer
in patience as a virtue. She's warming to this tutoring task, too, though she'd hesitate to admit it.

Niramo comments that she knows a lot, that the sewing expertise is unexpected. At first Setsuna
simply returns, "And you are a very quick learner, Umokeshi-san. Give it some time and effort, and
all the world's knowledge awaits you. As for the rest..." She tilts her head, but does not seem
offended, just thoughtful.

"If I have learned anything it is that a person is a collection of surprises and secrets. It is no
secret, though, that I enjoy the high art of fashion." Don't ask how much that black dress beneath
her lab coat costs; if you have to ask, so the saying goes... The fabric has an understated luxe
look, and the cut anticipates next season's trends.

"You did some very creative work quickly, then." The older student assesses Niramo's stammering
about her last minute work kindly. "Just remember to take care of your own work while you are being
so generous with your time. Time is a precious commodity. Once spent, we cannot easily get it back."

There's something somber about the young woman, then, some ineffable aura as she looks into the
middle distance beyond the lab's walls -- or perhaps the sadness was always there and simply
surfaces for a moment. Then she blinks, and she is present again and listening.

"Indeed, astrophysics covers that and more. Ah, well, grades are important!" She is emphatic on this
point. "When you do find what you are meant to do, you will have them to back you up. You are young.
Time may be precious, but you have a great deal of it." If the world does not end, she does not say.
That goes unspoken quite a bit, though she thinks it every time. "Why don't you turn it on, and we
can see the results of your hard work?"

With a slight and expectant smile, Setsuna laces her fingers upon the lab table and waits to see.

Previously On Battle Fantasia

2019-02-03T20:47:32Z

Blasktin:

Previously On Battle Fantasia

2019-02-03T20:47:12Z

Blasktin:

2019-02-01 - TIMELINE 2: Garden of Time! A Mother's Cruelty!

2019-02-02T23:09:13Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''TIMELINE 2: Garden of Time! A Mother's Cruelty!'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''The magical girls, with assistance from the Arthra, travel to Precia Testarossa's fortress in order to seal the Jewel Seeds once and for all. Fate reckons with her mother's hatred.''
|-
|'''Who''': 
[[Fate Testarossa]], [[Eas]], [[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]], [[Steven Universe]], [[Kasagami Araki]], [[Fuu Hououji]], [[Homura Akemi]], [[Endo Naoki]], [[Mikoto Minagi]], [[Madoka Kaname]]
|-
|'''Where:''' 
Dimensional Space

|-
|'''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2/1/2019 - 04-21-2014
|-
|}

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Dimensional Space +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Where the vast wonders of outer space extend in all directions within
Earth's primary temporospatial dimension, many other 'magical worlds' occupy
another dimensional space entirely. There are as many theories as to their
origin, 'true' location relative to the Earth, geography and greater meaning
as there are visitors to these realms. None are conclusive.

Unlike Earth, Magical Worlds often utilize magic publically and prolifically
to improve their societies, though many remain feudalistic, and others
outright barbaric. When magic itself ceases to be secret, the necessity for
a magical girls identity to be hidden diminishes as well, and recognition
inhibition is weak or absent in many such worlds.

Methods of travel between and within dimensional spaces are manifold. The
simplest are permanent portals, often attached to sites such as standing
stones, which can create bridges through space or time. Dimensional
transport spells can be invoked by more powerful magi, and at the extreme of
fancy footwork are entire mobile fortresses, from starships to floating
towers, that whisk whole families or armies between, and beyond, the stars.

<Pose Tracker> Hotaru Tomoe [Infinity Institute (6)] has posed.

TAKAMACHI DOJO

Nanoha Takamachi is even smaller than usual when she's in seiza. Facing the group, she bows until her nose touches the beautiful wood floor.

"I've met some people who say they can get us to Feito-chan's mother... and the Jewel Seeds. They're, um... a little strange..."

There is a rushing sound, a clap of displaced air so entirely vast that it sounds like something else. Low and strange and unknown, unprecedented. Utterly alien.

Everyone hurries outside, and the third-grader laughs weakly as she points at the alien spaceship, now hovering over Tokyo like the world's sleekest sportscar, only pointier. It is white and silver. "Y-yeah... that's our ride... Lindy-san, if you please!"

Just before they're all engulfed by a vast magical circle, she looks up at her bedroom window. Nanoha can't see the girl laid gently in her bed... but she can feel her -- her hand drifts over her heart.

"...I'm off on my way, Feito-chan..."

The light waxes blinding.

ABOARD THE ARTHRA

For lack of a better word the spaceship is ''sweet''. It's able to warp everybody up to its bridge and in basically no time at all is providing a lovely view of -- wait, no, that's not Earth.

The viewscreens (which, let's get into aesthetic here, are clearly more magical than technological; their edges sparkle a bit with the same sort of radiance Bardiche or Raising Heart might emit; nevertheless there is a very steadycam feel to the shots right now, and a certain profound minimalism; everything is a gentle blue or gray, with more edges than curves; a little militaristic and sterile) are showing an undulating purple-red-blue surface that might as well be the cover of any sufficiently psychadelic album one's weird dad embarrasses one's daughter by playing among company. It isn't recognizable.

"This is dimensional space," the Captain -- she must be the Captain, as soon as she appeared on the bridge everyone else in uniform (and they are in uniform, also blue and gray) stood a little straighter -- explains. She's in uniform too, but there's a distinctly maternal feel to her as she looks over the group, which vastly outweighs that of her military rank. Tossing her teal ponytail over her shoulder, she explains with a smile, "It connects the multiverse -- the many many many worlds. Until very recently it was impossible to reach Earth this way. My name is Lindy Harlaown. Be welcome to the Arthra. We're all very glad you're here."

Her smile fades.

"Unfortunately, if Precia Testarossa is allowed to activate all the Jewel Seeds in her possession, the dimensional quake she'll cause will reach Earth too -- as well as everywhere else. Maybe even everywhen. It's a very serious threat. Nanoha-chan," So named, the third-grader gives her a shy smile, "Has gathered you to join our strike team. Thanks to another of Feito Testarossa's associates--"

Smash cut to Nanoha's bedroom, where Arf paces back and forth in front of her master in repose, tail lashing.

"--we have the coordinates, and we can teleport there directly. Precia is a powerful archmagus; we expect extreme resistance. Especially since we finally understand what she's attempting to achieve."

One of the viewscreens switches to a view of Earth's oceans. The rainbow bridge is in view, along with most of those currently on the bridge.

Precia's voice crackles onto the Arthra's bridge, with a little distortion, as they play the tape.

"IT'S DONE, AFTER SO LONG... WE SHALL BE TOGETHER IN AL-HAZARD!!"

Lindy nods, seriously. "Al-Hazard is a legend of our world; the birthplace of incredibly powerful magicks destroyed by their own hubris. Most believe it never existed. Even if it did, it is long gone -- no amount of Jewel Seed energy is going to bring it back. But Precia doesn't care anymore, because bringing something back is what this is all about... infamously, the mages of Al-Hazard were able to raise the dead."

More images bleep onto the viewscreen, superimposed over the paused video. Precia, young and motherly and joyful. A younger Fate.

No -- it isn't quite, is it?

One of the women on the bridge, a studious person operating a control panel (she's been cueing up the images), clears her throat. "Alicia Testarossa was Precia's real daughter. She was killed during that illegal experiment, the one that destroyed Central Midchilda. The real purpose of Precia's experiments, was to try and create a brand new artificial life form, one that will surpass all other familiars. She wanted to revive her dead child. So she created a copy of Alicia. The name "Fate" was the code name she had given her experiment."

Precia's voice returns to the bridge and this time it is as though she's standing among the group, so good is the recording. Or -- no, again. This isn't a recording. This is live.

Magic...

"I'm impressed you found out so much about me. Everything you say is true. Nothing when this planned, it was all total failure. An artificial being is nothing but a fake, isn't it? They can never take the place of something so special... Alicia would smile at me more kindly than you ever could! She could be selfish sometimes, but she always did what I told her to. She always listened to her mother."

Nanoha's eyes widen at 'you', as she realizes that this is being piped into her bedroom too, surely. Into Fate's ears.

"Stop it..." she pleads, in a tiny voice.

"She was kind," Precia continues, relentlessly. "Alicia was always so kind to me. Well, Fate. Do you understand now? You're just a fake Alicia. I went through all the trouble of giving you her memories -- but you weren't good enough for them."

"Stop it -- stop it!" shrieks Nanoha.

"You were just a doll I was using to comfort me, until I could bring my sweet Alicia back to life. But now I don't need you anymore." Precia's voice tightens into a vicious lash. "Would you like to know something? Ever since I made you -- I've always hated you."

"STOP SAYING SUCH THINGS!" Nanoha shouts, then turns to Lindy. "How long? How long until we get there?"

"There's no time at all," Precia laughs, and laughs, and laughs, until finally her presence fades away.

"Now," Lindy replies, quietly, grimly, her eyes slits of rage. All the viewscreens have switched to a red runic emergency sort of look and the whole ship is starting to shake; even from within its relative safety, everyone can feel the Jewel Seeds' power rising. "Amy, transfer us now. She's right about one thing: there's no time left."

"Right!" Amy agrees, then looks to the group. "Huddle back up -- and you might want to hold onto each other, this could be a rocky ride!"

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue transforms into Serpentina Ruse!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji transforms into Wind Knight!
COMBAT: Homura Akemi transforms into Puella Magi Homura!

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
<SoundTracker> Sorrow Without Solace - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOc-DSkkscc

Why did she save me?

Her mind was a broken record, fixated upon that question. A skip scratch everytime she considered asking it. There could be no possible answer, she felt mired in existential worthlessness.

Her mother would never smile at her again.

Did she ever smile at her in the first place?

Who am I?

All questions that kept her from asking...

Why did she save me?

Tucked into the fuzzy covers of the girl's own bed, Fate Testarossa feigned unconsciousness for a time, until she was certain she was gone. Then she curled up on her aching side.

The girl whispers something to herself - all but inaudible, "It doesn't matter."

All was quiet for a while other than Arf's pacing footsteps, which gave her time to simply focus on the pain. It's like her whole body had been transmuted into lightning, then back to flesh just in time to be electrocuted. It was remarkable that she was alive at all.

She wished it wasn't so.

And then...

There was her mother's voice. And surprised, the girl forced herself past the screaming pain onto her back. "Mother?" She croaked.

It continues. A shocking sort of cruelty even to one who had experienced Precia's many cruelties firsthand. To confirm something she'd begun to suspect.

Her mother had never really smiled at... her.

Failure

Fake

Not

Good

Enough

Doll

It didn't help that there were a few scattered plushes around the room, suddenly she had this striking feeling of being one of them.

I'VE ALWAYS HATED YOU!

The girl feels herself sinking into herself even as Arf frantically starts clutching her hands.

Feito! Feito! Don't listen! Shut that wretched woman out! Fei

...but even the sense that she was right beside her was already becoming distant.

Why did she save me?

There is no answer, in light of Precia's revelation. There can't be. You don't save things that ought to be thrown away.

COMBAT: Kasagami Araki transforms into Crimson Rose Duelist!

<Pose Tracker> Eas [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

hrown away. Always a disappointment. Worthless all along. ...Lightning, thunder, over and over.

rAs the awful explanations come, the cruel mockery and viciousness towards the being they all know as Fate Testarossa--a pale fist curls in on itself, fingernails pressing hard into an unprotected palm. It would hurt a lot more if she focused on it, or cared.

The door to Nanoha's bedroom has started opening, just in time to hear Precia's voice fully, to hear what she said, how she felt...

"That... ''woman''," the Executive of Labyrinth murmurs. Purple-haired and red-eyed, even without preparation for battle Eas--alias Setsuna Higashi--has anger threaded through every muscle in her body, it feels like, a complex knot of emotion all boiled down to the rage she can understand, to the ''wrong'' that lingers as worry for Fate that she has no language to describe.

Closing the door behind her, Eas steps up to the other side of the bed, opposite Arf, and what passes for a greeting is brusque and distant. "I'm not here to fight," is all the pale girl says, leaning over to look the blonde over with a frown. It's not like she's trained in medicine, or anything like that, but--

To all accounts, Setsuna looks like an entirely ordinary girl, if one with some grimmer fashion choices--dark jeans, sneakers, a black tanktop under gray overlayer. There's points of red on her palm where she pressed in too hard.

"''Pointless''," she mutters to herself, where she cannot say 'are you all right?' because she has seen enough already that this makes sense.

"Fate!" Eas says, reaching to hold Fate's shoulder with her other hand. "Wake up! You're strong, you're driven--are you going to let ''words'' beat you!?"

...Eas actually starts to shake her before she catches herself and stops, turning her head away so her expression can't be read. Quietly, "This isn't... This isn't what's supposed to happen..."

COMBAT: Niramo Umokeshi transforms into Sourisi!
COMBAT: Steven Universe transforms into Serious Steven!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi transforms into HiME Mikoto!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Fumiko had long lost her amazement and curiosity in the technological and magical wonder of the Arthra. While it had stunned her at first arrival, it no longer held any interest to her. The situation was much to grim, much too serious.

Instead, Serpentina was a blank mask, hiding her nerves behind a cold stare at the recording. A dimensional quake reaching everything, everywhere, every point in time and space? She barely understands it, but comprehends enough to know that this could not come to pass. She knows little about the peson, but she does know one thing - Fate's mother had to be stopped.

And then the recording switches to live feed, and the words from that... witch... make Serpentina realize just how much she hated her. To reject your own daughter like that, regardless of the circumstances behind her 'birth', angers her even more than the potential for multiversal destruction. Her hands, jaw, and heart clench. "You... heartless... inhuman... thing," she hisses. "You filth..."

And she thought SHE had mom problems.

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

Arf perhaps heard the door open, but her attention is elsewhere. It's only when the transmission is over that Arf looks at one Setsuna Higashi and snarls. "That's right you're not. Because if I think for a moment you're here to finish what her mother started I'll rip open your jugular before you can say 'Switch Over'."

It's the kind of bluster that someone like Eas can expect from Arf. She knows she can't take Eas of Labyrinth in a fight, but right now... she's an easier target than Precia Testarossa for her anger.

Suspicious as she is though, she doesn't rise, instead clutching at the smaller child's hands.

-=-=-

Fate thinks she hears Eas' somewhere, someplace distant. That's absurd though. Why would Eas of Labyrinth ever think to encourage her? It feels like some fever dream.

strong

Absurd. To be called strong after she was crushed by so many magical girls, discarded for reasons that went beyond simple weakness.

driven

Driven by memories of love and affection that was never hers to begin with. Her mother was right, she was selfish. She just wanted her mother to pay attention to her, to spend time with her. It was never really about granting her mother's wish. It was never just that selfless joy of wanting to see her smile. Not really. It was the resolve of a child who desired praise rather than punishment.

She was right, she was never good enough.

words beat you

All along she'd insisted talking and understanding would change nothing. In the end she was the one beaten by the resolve of many girls who insisted it would.

However that tickles at the part of her subconscious which denies that it could be Eas. Because it actually sounds like her. What a thought... Eas of Labyrinth, trying to encourage her to get up and keep fighting after being declared a worthless failure by the one she sought to serve.

It's so funny that she could cry.

-=-=-

Arf had been too broken up about Fate's state to speak for a while.

"... It's not what's supposed to happen huh? The wolf woman glowers at Eas for a moment, "Why do you think I turned traitor?"

Arf puts a hand on the cloth covering up Fate's shoulder gently, and pulls it back, to show an old scar that has to be at least a few years old. An indentation which looks like a healed lash.

"What do you think happened to her the moment you left that throne room? Anyone who thinks that this wasn't supposed to happen... is just deluding themselves."

Arf places a larger hand into Fate's again, impressing warmth into it. Using her other to brush her cheek from stray hairs.

"Including me. I'm so sorry Feito... all those times I gave in to you telling me we just needed to hold out a little while longer..."

Perhaps she was just being the consummate familiar to her master, but that's not what the girl had needed.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The interior of the Arthra is met with wonder, despite the fact it doesn't seem to be designed for those outside this group. A spaceship that runs off what must be a mixture of magic and technology will gather quite a lot of attention from Takk if he was capable of interacting with the world at the moment.

However, this wasn't time for a tour of amazing techology.

Precia Testarossa has all of the Jewel Seeds, and the threat they poses can shatter the very foundations of reality if used in an attempt to bring forth the mythical world of Al-Hazard. It feels wrong to learn about the history and motivations of Fate Testarossa, even when it explains just a little more about the young yet powerful girl. Created as a copy of a grieving mother's daughter to help her cope...this doesn't feel right in the slightest. It was if she was being told the darkest secret of someone at school, and that everyone knew about it except for Fate.

That is...until Precia tells them all, and Fate, precisely what she feels about her magically created daughter.

Sourisi isn't as quick on the realization as Nanoha is, but once she realizes that Fate is being forced to listen to these hateful words from her 'mother', it was hard not to have her hands clench her tonfa in frustration. "How...how dare she say that! Fate-san has done many things to gather the Jewel Seeds, and this is how she's treated? Precia is so focused on the fact that Fate is not like Alicia-san, she can't even see Fate as her own person..." How can there be people like this, who are treated with respect and unquestionable trust from their offspring, biological or magical, and treat them with such hate?!

Sourisi moves quickly to huddle back up with the others, standing as close as possible to the others as possible. She holds onto Serpentina with one hand, not sure what exactly to expect. But one thing is for certain. Precia Testarossa has much to answer for.

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.

Considering what happened in the not-so-distant past, it made sense that little Steven Universe would be brought on the ride of his life. The boy, assembled among would-be magical warriors, seemed a little out of place amidst those ready to reclaim the Jewel Seeds. After the fight against Eas and Fate, then Multi-Fate, The boy had about a good of a grasp on the types of weaponry as anyone not directly using them.

Nanoha attempts to explain the Seeds, when their proverbial ride arrives. "Whoooaaahhh! Awesoooome..." Looking at that hovering cruiser felt so foreign, yet familiar in some distant way, like a small toy owned so long ago. Perhaps it was getting to see one whole and undamaged from time and erosion.

The command post is no less impressive to the little boy. It is hard for hom to contain his excitement. The boy just holds his hamburger backpack and squeezes it tightly in anticipation. As Lindy speaks, the boy gives a very serious salute.

Despite his most likely foreign way of expressing confirmation to ones superiors, Steven listens adamantly to her explanation. Of course, he flinches hearing that malevolent voice over ocmmunications. And then she explains about Alicia and Fate. A soft frown appears, "Thats not... right..." the boy mutters.

Is that any way for someone to cope?

A casual look down to his torso. The voice returns before he can say anything else. This time crystal clear. "Shut up!" the boy shouts, joining in with Nanoha. He doesn't care if Precia can't hear him. "You don't think everyone's lost someone? And you go to these lengths to try and get it back, and actually made someone new! She deserves to be happy too! You can't just discard her!"

The boy's fists are balled up tightly on that backpack. White knuckles are pronounced against the orange of the parachute orange bun. "No, she can't replace your other daughter, but what you are doing won't replace her either. Even if you succeed... she will be different. Things are always different." Eh, she probably can't, or won't listen, what does it matter? They are gonna have to stop her at this point with force of arms and hearts.

It seems like talking won't escalate this event any further.

The ship begins to have tremors, and the call for teleportation is made. The boy holds a fist high and a roseate shield clangs into place, pink sparkles radiating out for a brief moment. "Right! Let's show her what we can do!" A pause. "I'll be fine, I am ''so'' used to teleporting at this point!"

He didn't stop to think that methods of teleportation could vary drastically.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

There's a certain emotional boiling point when even large events and potential catastrophies simply cease to matter. Aboard the Artha, not long after coming to the Takamachi family's Dojo, Kasagami Araki finds herself at that exact state of mind.

Kassie's worry over her precious would-be Kingdom is a minor afterthought, much of her rational thought taking a deep back seat. Her usual smiles and confidence upon greeting those on the Artha itself, particularly it's sharp Captain Lindy, melted quickly to that of concern with a healthy mix of eagerness for a fight. A cloth did much of the work here in occupying said energy, polishing an inch or so of her sword out of reflex and a need to do something besides listen.

Said cloth goes fluttering to the ground without a word, however, as Lindy and the bridge tech lay out the scope-and horror-of Precia's designs.

To bring back a lost family member. Any and all sense of boisterousness and her more scrappy desires melt away. Eyes widen a fraction. Her hands start shaking, only to tighten on sword and scabbard alike. They click back closed with a little too much force. The athletic young woman has to lean on her sword to stay upright.

Equal amounts pity and jealousy cross her face. The Crimson Duelist finds herself settling into a cross-legged sit, sword in front of her on the ground. Her head tilts downwards. Her heart aches, and some small part of her prays that no one notices a streak of tears down one cheek.

What would she give to have her own beloved family back, after all?

Then Precia's words reach them all, neatly shattering whatever pity she was building for the woman. Her throat feels dry, raw as every syllable seems to suck out the moisture in her mouth. Nanoha's shrieks and pleadings and shouts keep her head from pounding too hard. No boasts, no shouts from the usually loud Araki girl.

"How ''DARE'' she..." Comes Kasagami's slightly hoarse snarl. In an act of self control, she shuts her mouth with grit teeth. One water bottle down her hatch, a third of it's contents used to fix a few strands of hair that worked their way out of place in her internal emotional turmoil.

She levers herself up, using her blade as a cane, and her boots cut a loud path over to the group of fellow magical girls.

Even now, her hands are still shaking and her right arm aches. Her blade is rested in it's customary position across her shoulders, while her free hand is offered to a girl she wholeheartedly calls a friend.

"I think, Miko-chan, that someone needs an education on the value and definition of family." She whispers to the HiME. The hand on her blade tightens hard enough that her gloves creak. Her mind wanders to her Mother, and just what she'd say to such a woman as Precia Testarossa. Her face is unreadable, aside from a very dark shade of 'mess'.

<Pose Tracker> Eas [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"I don't have any orders anymore about her mother," Eas says back to Arf, with only a moment's eye contact and a toneless voice. She doesn't even argue back, doesn't bother doing more than bristle. Something more important than a clash for dominance right now. ...As weird as ''that'' is, there's no need to think about it now. No room.

-=-=-

Setsuna is tense, to say the least--and when Arf answers her instead of Fate, her red eyes slide right up to the wolf woman, her expression strangely blank for all the emotion in her voice, filled with nothing but that ''scowl'', with that irritation, strangely focused. "It's ''not''," she snaps back, though she does look ddown at the scar. Then up to Fate's face again.

"I think she was hurt. That her mother hurt her. I could... tell, the way they interact, how emotional she was. The way she treated her." Even praise wasn't enough to outweigh that. "But that ''isn't'' what's supposed to happen.

"Fate... She worked hard. She gave all she could to fulfill her mother's goals, took on whole groups, proved herself powerful, accomplished the mission. ...You don't... ''throw away'', someone who does that. It's inefficient--it doesn't make ''sense''!"

There's an edge underneath her words, sure.

"...Come on," she says, more quietly, looking down at Fate again, before she drags a chair from close and sits down beside her, feeling the skin of her arm with the back of her hand. "...Whatever. We just need her to wake up. Then she can see."

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

While the Wind Knight hasn't been around to help deal with every Jewel Seed, she's made a point of staying in the loop - she's a fairly frequent customer at Midori-ya, and even without the magical girl connection, she'd at least know Nanoha in passing. Fighting side-by-side just means more of a reason to stay in contact.

So when Nanoha puts out a call for help, Fuu makes every effort to be there. She may have missed the battle at the bridge, but that just shores up Fuu's determination to come and help when she *is* able to. So she listens to Nanoha's explanation, and wonders quietly at the technomagical miracle of the Arthra, and being beamed aboard, and the brief view they have of the bridge.

Dimensional Space ... technically it's not the first time the Magic Knight of Wind has been 'here' - perhaps there's a way to get to Cephiro from here - but that's not why they're here. Lindy's explanation of what havoc the Jewel Seeds' power could wreak makes her worry all the more, though - Cephiro's existence is fragile enough as it is right now; if Precia has her way, Cephiro would almost certainly be destroyed in the process as well if it's anywhere 'near' this incident.

"I'll do everything in my power," the Wind Knight promises - to Nanoha, to Lindy, to Amy, and to all of her allies. Precia's words are still echoing in her ears as she makes her pledge; Fuu doesn't show her anger often, whether as schoolgirl or magical girl, but her usually-gentle eyes are clouded behind her glasses, and her typical smile is nowhere to be seen.

"Let's do this, everyone!" the green-clad Magic Knight calls out, bracing herself a little for the next displacement.

<Pose Tracker> Homura Akemi [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Homura's eyes never stop being big and round behind her red-framed glasses, not from the moment they first lay eyes on the spaceship which has come to pick them up.

They stay round as they look through a magical viewport at a planet which is not Earth, and as captain Lindy Harlaown says that they are in dimensional space. They open even further when she explains scope of the threat, and skitter sideways to Madoka Kaname -- the most important girl in the world, a world which is now imperiled. Talk of raising the dead keeps Homura's eyes shock-shaped... and they strain wide as Precia cuts in with unbelievable, unprecedented viciousness.

The rejection strikes a deep chord in the girl with the heart defect who was discarded for hospitals to take care of, and one hand covers her mouth -- the other shivers in Madoka's. She thinks of the young mage with the red eyes who laid everything on the battlefield just yesterday on the behalf of the woman she calls mother.

Suppressed and denied emotions she's never allowed herself to direct at her own parents find a target in Precia Testarossa. "She's... she's awful," comes out of Homura's mouth, and her eyebrows tilt from horror to outrage. "That's awful! How could she, after Fate-san fought so hard... how could she, at all..."

It's time to go. Homura gives an angry sniffle and renews her grip on her best friend's hand, lacing cool thin fingers with soft ones. Sayaka gets a resolute braid-flapping nod from her geeky classmate and fellow puella, very like the ones she gives during fighting practice. "Minagi-san..." Her rooftop tutor finds a pale hand outstretched, shy but offered -- something she might not have done a month ago, but their training sessions have paid off in ways other than martial.

She says, "We'll stop this," for Fate's sake -- and for the world's sake. Thus, for Madoka's.

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo nods his head as Lindy explains the situation, the boy armored in his barrier jacket and with his Device resting in a hand. He's half-distracted by the fancy screens and sleek curves of the spaceship that they stand on its deck. He's aware of the dangers that the Jewel Seeds possess by now, having spent the past months attempting to prevent Fate Testarossa's mother from gathering them all in her possession.

His face is set in a frown as he listens to the recording of Precia, his fingers tightening on the device in his hand. "Fate's a real person too" He asserts, "And we'll stop Precia, no matter what." A firm nod with that.

When the ship starts to vibrate and signals it's about to actually go, he reaches to find something to hang on it. His gaze is determined, set upon the screens of the ship.

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Maybe sitting in seiza is one of those things Mikoto has picked up from Kendo club.

... let's go with that.

What she is unfamiliar with is a ''spaceship,'' of all things -- but there's hardly time to acclimatise before she's swept up with the others. She blinks, head whipping about as she tries to take it all in, and eventually decides she wouldn't understand even if they spent all day explaining, and focuses on the woman who seems to be in charge instead.

Dimensional quakes, she decides, must be something like earthquakes, just ''dimensional.'' That's bad.

Her eyes narrow as the viewscreen brings Fate into view, as Lindy talks about resurrection. The confusion on her face is obvious, because Fate isn't ''dead.'' Except... Amy starts speaking, and Mikoto's attention snaps to her with a small gasp. She looks to the Puella Magi, as if to draw strength from them in that moment.

And then there is a voice amongst them and it's not being controlled by one of the people at the screens.

Mikoto takes a step back, fingers tightening around the strap of her case. She is tense; she is stricken, writ on the draw of her lips and the arc of her brow. "Fate did what Precia said," she struggles to defend her, and her voice is small. "Fate never hesitated..."

The horror in her words says something else entirely: how could she be so cruel?

It's not right. This isn't how devotion is rewarded. This isn't... how it's supposed to be.

Tools are precious things and their worth is known and celebrated.

How could she hate something she herself forged?

How could she?

Mikoto looks to the Puella again, and this time she is not just unsettled. She finds her rudderless pain answered, and her hand lowers from Miroku's strap to grasp at their protege's offered hand. "Homura's my friend --" she hesitates as she tries to find the words. She has always struggled with naming her own feelings, but she knows what Precia should have said. "I love Homura," she says, as the ship's shaking grows more dire. This is how it is supposed to be.

Her other hand finds Kasagami's palm where it is held out for her, and she grasps it tightly. "Family matters," she insists, and she cannot hide how the words are wounded.

"It isn't right," she murmurs, even more quiet now, and perhaps she is talking to them, or perhaps she is convincing herself. "Isn't..." ... right.

<Pose Tracker> Madoka Kaname [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Eas has no words for it because she has no family. Madoka has no words for it for the opposite reason.

Madoka's eyes are glassy, distressed slits in a bone-white face further unflattered by the spaceship's cool lighting. Hers is the most idyllic family life, and she was, despite her months of fighting inscrutable Witches and other, more verbal monsters, wholly unprepared to witness... this.

She hasn't let go of either Homura or Sayaka's hands since they were beamed onto the ship. Her grip tightened sharply when Precia's voice joined them live, then softened to a less-painful firmness, one that gives her the mobility to stroke the back of Homura's quivering hand with her thumb, over and over.

Madoka has no words -- until Mikoto finds them.

Slowly her mouth moves. Nothing comes out... but she shaped something with tongue and lips and teeth. She shakes her head, clears her throat. Her dazed gaze comes back into focus, and looks at Homura, then Sayaka, then the others, around the widening arc of held hands.

I love you, she says again, only this time with her eyes. Tender. Piercing. Pink.

It's the best possible antidote. Offense, the best defense.

"Everything is going to be all right," she promises them all -- again more with eyes than voice insofar as her voice is cracked and wavering but her expression is beautifully and gently committed to the oath she's just made -- but especially the one waiting back on Earth, the one who can't even hear them.

Or can she?

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname transforms into Puella Magi Madoka!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki transforms into Barrier Jacket Aufprall!

<Pose Tracker> Hotaru Tomoe [Infinity Institute (6)] has posed.
<SoundTracker> Soukyuu, Tsuranuite Dual Mix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nFbhp9zOd4

In the last seconds before the dimensional transfer initiates, the bridge erupts with reports from the crew.

And with fear.

"It's a big one! The magnitude of the dimensional tremor is growing!"

"If this gets any bigger we're going to have maybe half an hour before it tears a hole in this dimension! And if that happens, we're doomed!"

"This fortress is powered by Lost Logias the same type as the Jewel Seeds! That's what's causing the tremor! She knew they'd become unstable, but she activated them anyway -- she must know this is a one-way trip!"

Then silence as, again, everything changes.

THE GARDEN OF TIME

The dimensional transfer is gut-wrenchingly strange, especially compared to the first one that got them onto the ship, but over in an instant that might have taken all of time in existence, or none of it at all, depending on the measurement. As the teal light clears, it reveals a strange landscape.

Undulating in all directions but one is more of that blue-violet panorama previously seen on screen. If infinity had a color, this might be it. There is a sense of intense space -- to stare at it for too long invites vertigo.

But there is ground, black and jagged, and up ahead: the fortress. It seems to be formed from this strange floating island's core: obsidian spikes, some crowned with spheres of blue light that hum at such a viciously high frequency that it can't be heard, only felt up and down the spine, collide and congeal into a massive tower.

There is a second, dissonant vibration that makes bones ache. This is coming from much deeper within the Garden, and the wrongness it embodies is surely the dimension-shattering effect beginning to spin itself up like a massive generator or churning engine.

Lindy lands neatly in the middle of her circle. She no longer speaks aloud, but projects her voice directly into the minds of the team.

<>

Already, in front of the massive golden door at twelve-o-clock, equally golden robots are rising up out of the ground. They make the ones who attacked the fireworks festival look like the chumps they were. Armed to the teeth with energy projectors and nasty blades, their red eyes pulse into activation, then narrow at the intruders.

And then they charge.

OOC: Each round, you will have to defeat a wave of Precia's Drone Army in order to advance -- that is to say, reducing their
Fatigue from an unknown value to zero! If you fail to do so, you'll have to suffer the onslaught even longer -- if you succeed,
you'll break through to a new part of the fortress (in this round's case, blasting through the front door). Hotaru's Fatigue
points will be representing each wave, so please target her for that. Good luck!

COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe transforms into Precia's Drone Army!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Madoka Kaname.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Homura Akemi.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Kasagami Araki.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Steven Universe.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Conquering Charge on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji partially dodges 6 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 26 Fatigue damage! Fuu
Hououji's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Trap applied to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Sourisi dodges 20 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 13 Fatigue damage! Sourisi's Fade and
Flash abilities activate! Trap applied to Sourisi!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki fails to counter Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 37 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki's counterattack, Asteroid Eilen, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue fails to dodge Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 43 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Trap applied to
Fumiko Inoue!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname dodges 12 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 18 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname's
Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Steven Universe perfectly braces 40 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
Critical Hit! Critical Brace! Steven Universe's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to counter Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 35 Fatigue damage! Trap applied to Mikoto Minagi!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi's counterattack, Obsidian Blade: Dynamo, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Kasagami Araki partially dodges 6 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 22 Fatigue damage!
Kasagami Araki's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Trap applied to Kasagami Araki!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Serpentina holds onto Sourisi- for safety reasons, don't want anything bad to happen because of stuff - and everything goes bluh. It was definitely a good idea to have held on. Time and space (and her stomach) seem to warp. Her balance is tested, and she barely passes. The surroundings don't help much, and neither does the... dimension quake? "Y-you okay, Squeaky?"

No time to worry, however, as everyone is attacked by big gold robots. Now that's something you don't see every - ow.

Dodging out of the way of one charging robot, Serpentina is instead struck by another. She quickly tumbles to her feet, pulling out her parasol. "Never thought I'd see this much gold and all of it be worthless," she quips, though her heart isn't in it. She rushes in a blind fury with parasol strikes, sweeps, and pokes. If she's taken out before she even gets to Prescia, who would whack her over the head with an umbrella?

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Umbrella-Fu on Hotaru Tomoe.
COMBAT: Homura Akemi partially dodges 9 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Conquering Charge, taking 36 Fatigue damage! Critical
Hit! Homura Akemi's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Trap applied to Homura Akemi!

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

"That's right. And I had to listen to every single one of those sessions. Had to feel what she felt throughout them."

Arf confirms to Eas as if perhaps thinking she'll actually get through to her, but after a moment, just seems disappointed as she looks away. "... Feh. You're still just being willfully blind to the kind of people we're in service to. Whatever. It makes no difference to me if you think your Lord Mobius will be more 'efficient' than Precia Testarossa."

Lifting her hand away from Fate's cheek, she holds it up as she traces the lingering thread of magic. An orange runic circle appears in mid-air.

And suddenly there are voices in both of their heads. Of the same Magical Girls that were fighting Fate - who have fought Eas.

Arf finds herself listening to a time. About how they say it isn't right. How they'll stop her, denouncing the many cruelties of Precia.

A thought does occur to her though, listening to them, as she turns to Eas and asks her point blank.

"... why do ''you'' need her to wake up?"

-=-=-

Now there are subtler little things rippling into her head. The voices of magical girls. Of Nanoha Takamachi for that matter.

real person

fought so hard

worked hard

gave her all

isn't right

It's a strange reversal. Before she'd thought the resolve of any of those girls couldn't match up to hers. Now each of them feels more real than she does.

It shouldn't feel so touching, listening to them advocate for garbage. To fight not just for their world, but for her too.

That's just the kind of girls they are... some part of her mind tells her.

Why did she save me?

Because they're kind of girls that can champion the cause of a worthless doll.

It's perhaps half flippant at first, but it's so accurate that perhaps her mind clings to that answer within this sense of existential despair. It is a better answer than having none.

Yet within that lay a thread to something deeper.

If the love of Precia Testarossa gave her whatever small sense of worth she had before...

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

As soon as the group materializes on Precia Testarossa's front doorstep, the Wind Knight's sword materializes in her hand; maybe she won't be able to get into melee range right away, but the sword feels like a better choice for now than her archery skills. She nods an acknowledgement to Lindy, then turns her attention to the welcoming committee.

Because of course she expected some kind of guardians. What kind of sorceress would tweak the noses of a boatload of magical girls as sh eprepares for a threatening ritual and *not* have some defenses lined up to ward off this group of plucky nay-sayers?

And sure enough, the army of drones doesn't even give the Magic Knight of Wind time to launch even one arrow, if that had been her plan. The Wind Knight does her best to weave through the melee, but her best isn't good enough - she gets walloped pretty effectively for her trouble, even though she largely remains on her feet ... even when one drone manages to latch onto her leg, anchoring her to the spot when she needed to make her next move.

"This is a fast way not to get anywhere, isn't it," the Wind Knight mutters, focusing her will inwards. "Very well ... Liberating Gale!!"

The spell starts as a variation on her Winds of Healing - but rather than focusing its power purely inwards, she channels it *outwards*, away from herself and into the crush of drones. And as it goes, she takes the energy that she used to restore herself ... and turns it destructive, as if throwing her own injuries back at the constructs which caused them.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Liberating Gale on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

"Aaah-this feels-bad-" Endo is able to get that out as the spaceship vibrates its way to its destination, and the destination vibrates through his bones. His eyes remain on the screens, and the view of the jagged fortress.

Endo Naoki says, "Okay!" Says Endo, "Let's go!" No matter how imposing the fortress and its defenses are, there's too much at stake. The Jewel Seeds, Fate, they have to take them all back. There's only way to go now: forward."

<Pose Tracker> Eas [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"..." What is Eas supposed to say to something like that? To hearing that Arf listened, felt it? She doesn't think of anything, so she just shakes her head, and doesn't bother looking despite the note of disappointment. She doesn't seem to care much.

Maybe the weirdest part is that Eas doesn't even shout at Arf for talking about Lord Mobius. Instead she looks up as the sees the circle of runes, and Eas too has a full view of what they're up to--of where they are, of the reasons they're giving...

Eas knows them, each of them; has fought, watched, listened to... But her jaw sets, rather than allowing herself to show emotion. When Madoka says everything is going to be all right, she finds herself actually considering how it might.

Which is the perfect time for Arf's question and for Eas to snap back, "What?" Then the question registers for her, and Eas turns her head away, huffing imperiously. "Need? Whatever, don't be dramatic. I just think she's too good an asset to be thrown away. If her mother doesn't want her she can work with me." She glances back down at Fate, again, and her expression softens very slightly. "...It's not like I care, it's just... wrong. That's all."

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

"Aaah--this feels--bad--" Endo is able to get that out as the spaceship vibrates its way to its destination, and the destination vibrates through his bones. His eyes remain on the screens, and the view of the jagged fortress.

"Okay!" Says Endo, "Let's go!" No matter how imposing the fortress and its defenses are, there's too much at stake. The Jewel Seeds, Fate, they have to take them all back. There's only way to go now: forward.

And he goes that way very literally, right into the face of a dozen golden robots. Straight through without caution nor finesse, letting out a valorous cry that, within a few seconds, turns into something decidedly more painful. Beams of energy slash across his barrier jacket, burning through the protective dome that's briefly erected and scouring across Endo's figure.

The force of the blasts it along enough to stop him. He staggers mid-step, half-stumbling as he drags his oversized weapon along behind him. He gets there eventually though, worse for the wear...but not in bad enough shape to keep him from thrusting the point of his sword into one of the leading defenders, attempting to spear through the robot with the momentum gathered.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Blauverschiebung on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

As the Arthra prepares to send them to Precia's location, Sourisi tries her best to ignore the comments from the crew, to ignore the feeling in her gut saying that she might be in over her head. It's a little hard to do with all the outcries of approaching doom and destruction of perhaps all of reality, however.

It's a help when Serpentina is involved in this chaos as well, and returns her support. Sourisi didn't even want to imagine if she the only Miraculous User involved, and Serpentina has been a great friend since they met. "Y-yeah, but...I think I perfer running along rooftops over teleporation any day, Slithers."

That support is needed when the strike force is teleported into the Garden of Time, as Sourisi swallows dry air several times in order to keep her last meal down. Magical enhancements or no, disembarking from the Arthra was much harder than getting on board, and now is not the time to be sick! The landscape doesn't help in this matter, the alien obsidian ground combined with the colorful hue and the looming fortress ahead of them all makes it feel like a bizarre fever dream.

But what isn't a dream is the magically-forming robots flowing out of the ground to create an army of defenders, and Sourisi is grateful for the grounding effect her tonfa always seem to have when they're in her grip. While not normally the typical magical girl weapon of choice, it's their rather plain appearance that always helps Sourisi find reality in times of bizarre battles such as these. "Got it, Lindy-san. Thank you for your support in all of this!"

Charging ahead along with the others, Sourisi moves to seperate from the others as blasts of energy start to pepper the approaching swarm of magical warriors, and it's wise that she did so. Even with a little breathing room from the others, and it takes all of Sourisi's agility and dexterity to evade the majority of the blasts while still moving forward. There's no telling what these blasts of energy might do to her tonfa, upgraded robots as they were, and she's not wanting to find out!

Landing from a somersault over a trio of bolts, Sourisi throws both of her tonfa at the mob of robotic minions underhand, needing her hands free for the moment. Previous experience has shown that evading is best when your hands are free. Despite how serious the moment is, Serpentina's familiar joking manner can still be heard, and the mouse ninja shoots her friend a smile that she only hopes looks confident. A bit of the normal is needed right now. "I know! Surely these scrap androids could at least give us money as we fight for...well, everything!"

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Crashing Tooth on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.

The ship shudders more violently. It was as if space itself was shuddering in pain as it is being flayed open and reworked, to the whims of a delusional soul. "We will do the best we can!" Steven calls out over the sound of rattling metal and items within the room.

The teleportation happens, and it feels both very similar and far different than Gem Warp. It is similar enough that the boy manages to land clean on his feet and not curl over in stomach distress. It is otherwise quite disorienting.

There is a sound, a frequency in the air, from such powerful magics vibrating the very fabric of reality. Steven less hears it, and more feels it. It is quite intense-- even moreso he feels it in his Gem far more than the rest of him, which causes him to clutch his belly as he winces.

It slowly becomes tolerable, at least enough to not cripple him. But it is like a constant, pervasive headache that wasn't in his head. And while he knows where the feeling comes from, it feels like it is coming from nowhere and everywhere.

"O... Okay!" the boy says, pointing forward, and trying his damned best to not look down. The fortress ahead looks so daunting. A bastion that has most likely never been breached, in such a place far between worlds. But they had no choice but to try. If they didn't succeed, then everything would be over anyway.

From outside the golden pallisade form equally lustrous foes, bent on stopping the would-be heroes from entering! "This is it, this is our chance! Let's make a show out of it, show her what those with heart can do!" the boy calls out. Flip flops click on an invisible ground, and the boy helps lead the charge, adrenaline fueling his bravery in this moment.

Try as the drones might, it is difficult to strike a boy with an impenetrable shield from the front as he moves to meet them. Energy blasts dissipate and reflect on contact with the shield.

And the little boy with poofy hair just keeps charging forward, bent on colliding with as many as he can.

COMBAT: Steven Universe has used Shield Slam on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

One dimensional transfer later that took ''way'' too long for comfort in a certain Duelist's mind, and there she is. She can't help but pause to admire the landscape. The blue-violet makes her first squint, then rub one eye. Staring at it for too long starts to make her stomach quiver, and so Kasagami Araki smartly picks out where Lindy landed.

Time to trust the mage when it comes to mage business.

The Duelist's already foul mood is entirely not helped by the vibrations of those pillars, her spine starting to ache in ways that's entirely new and novel. She offers a swift nod to Lindy, before she swings her blade in a glorious arc up high in both hands. The castle that needs storming is before them. They have a general at their side.

Eyes close for a second. Mikoto's words echo in her head.

'Family matters'

And then Kasagami rushes forward to meet the charge alongside the magical girls gathered. Straight to the widest line of those Drones with swords, the Duelist seeks to use her overly long blade to it's fullest. She's a blurr of fluttering coat, hair, as the tip of her sword begins to dance in fluid strikes with just a ''bit'' of lingering bite to them.

The girl's heart feels like one massive scab already, half way ripped off. She puts her back into the first descending chop.

Both hands clench. Her grip turns her sword ninety degrees and she spins on her heels to lash out in a spin, bringing a lashing arc. It's more of a suggestion of a movement, arms, handle, and blade as sweeping as they are singular in the hands of the Araki family head.

The attacks come to her, of course. She stands her ground even as she never stops moving. Blades miss vital points by an inch, are deflected off a hilt, and her longcoat is peppered until it's naught but a jaunty shredded cape. Her right glove meets a well-torn end as well, and the long handle of her nodachi occasionally is forced to play shield as she dodges out of the way of the worst of the blows coming for her.

Faster, faster, cut and cutting in turn, Kasagami Araki lets out a war cry with every strike, trying to lay claim to her own personal battlefield ballroom as she presses on aggressively.

"A King nor her allies..." Teeth grit.

"Will not be denied those that break the ties of family!"

COMBAT: Kasagami Araki has used Rose Flash on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

It isn't right -- but everything is going to be all right. Ever since Homura introduced Mikoto to the Puella Magi, in that strange way Homura had as if she'd already known her for years, Madoka has been a lighthouse of mercy to light Mikoto's path. There are people like that, in the world; not everyone, of course, but there are some people who simply model goodness, even if they don't have all the answers. People who are kind, and who can be followed in that kindness. There are so many people like that in Mikoto's life; people who have inspired her to blunt her edges and try to reach out in understanding instead of lashing out in anger. Mai was only the first.

If Madoka says everything will be all right, it's going to be okay.

Even if it feels like the ship is about to be torn apart.

And then, all a sudden, they're somewhere else.

Kasagami and Homura will feel Mikoto's grip slackening in each of their hands, until they slip away, to curl at her chest instead. She's not good at foreign language -- she doesn't know the word for deja-vu, as she looks up at those obsidian spikes. Something familiar, but so, so different.

It's unsettling to see the core of her magic in another context, in a terrible context.

She's not left to feel uncomfortable for long, before she feels as though she might be torn apart instead. Mikoto shakes her head in the wake of the vibration, swinging her case about and drawing her black blade. (She shoulders her case, again, when Miroku is freed. She has no intentions of leaving it in a place like this.)

Lindy tells them what to do, and Mikoto is happy to listen. She nods, firmly, grasping her blade. Endo charges and it should be no surprise that Mikoto thinks in precisely the same way; the two of them have always been alarmingly similar in their approach. So, too, is it unsurprising to see her knocked aside just as he is, a robot's golden blade locking in with her obsidian and throwing it aside as its wielder trails after like a banner in the wind.

She hits the ground and tumbles, but she comes up crouching and springs forward again, with a ferocious yell which does not bother with words. There are some enemies which Mikoto does not have to take care with, whom she can fight without reservation; Orphans and Familiars and, yes, robots too. She charges the line, and plants her feet at the last moment, sending her blade spiralling in a whirl of sparks to cleave a wide circle through their foes.

COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Obsidian Blade: Dauntlessness on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Homura Akemi [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Madoka says it will be all right, and her closeness warms up a chilly girl's hand and heart, as she always does; Homura tries to stand as tall as she can, wanting to make the other girl proud, to be braver for her.

Here is another reason for purple eyes to stay big and round: the open emotion her taciturn, funny-fierce braid-sister gifts her with. She starts replying before she has any idea what she's going to say -- what do you say to something like that?! Oh, Homura, the answer is not as complex as you think -- and ends up stuttering, "I- ah- um, ar-" as the bridge crew cries out, as the world turns strange and sideways and streeeetches...

"--igatou go- gozai..." And the awkward 'thank you' she was about to return Mikoto's heartfelt proclamation with dies on her lips as they arrive in a strange and infinite landscape. "Aaahh!"

They must gain the fortress... but through those terrifying, golden robots. Reluctantly her hands slip free from Mikoto's and Madoka's: the better to bring her shield to bear, the better to reach behind it. She doesn't anticipate the speed with which their foes bring the fight to them, though, and isn't ready when a blade sweeps down at her!

Homura tumbles back from her robot foe, loosing a pained shriek -- the blade caught up. Now she flies sideways, tumbling on the strange teal ground. She rolls to a stop at Madoka's pink-clad feet, looking battered and scraped already. But despite the pain-tears swimming in her eyes, she focuses on the girl above her and raises a scuffed hand.

"Kaname-san...! May we...?" Quick words, shorthand, but the plan is in those big purple eyes. They clasp hands...

and disappear.

And REAPPEAR that very same instant in a burst of brilliant color!

Pink explodes out of a purple flash of light as Madoka and Homura shoot back onto the battlefield, streaking across the sky astride -- is that a big pink fireworks-shooting broom? So fast they travel that even quick eyes need a moment to catch up: no, they're riding the most magical arrow in existence, propelled by pink hope.

A shriek accompanies their arrow's flight, and it may be taken for a sound effect of the magic but... no, it's Homura, overcome by the sheer ''velocity'' of their chosen attack vector.

Not too overcome to drop pipe bombs, though.

One by one homemade munitions drop, aimed for the biggest clusters of robots, and then red blooms: BOOM BOOM BOOM! She clings to Madoka's waist after, and their heads bump together a little from the flight. "It... it worked? It worked!"

COMBAT: Homura Akemi has started a combo targeting Hotaru Tomoe!

<Pose Tracker> Madoka Kaname [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

BACK IN THE TIMESTOP

Gorgeously pink light is the only color here, and it grows and grows and grows in Madoka's hands. One instant it's an arrow, and a few instants later it's more like an ACME missile.

Then it's launched, and everything is gray again once it gets about a meter away, hovering patiently as though it's waiting for them.

"Milady's chariot awaits," giggles Madoka -- this is a desperately serious situation but if love is the antidote to hatred then humor may be that to fear.

She had to have her hands free to draw the bow, so with a certain inspiration she had produced her ordinary red ribbons (not the wider magenta ones she wears while transformed) from in between some ruffles of her skirt, and tied one end around Homura's wrist and attached the other to her waist.

That means that, as she moves in to stirrup-boost Homura onto the gigantic arrow, it winds up getting a bit tangled around them. Even after they're settled atop it -- which takes timing, since the moment they touch it again, it starts to move -- it's still there, and inadvertantly wrapped around her like a belt (along with Homura's arms).

NOW

"You did it!!" Madoka squeals joyfully, brushing her cheek up against Homura's nose without turning all the way around. She wants to celebrate more but that arrow is about to hit the front wall. "You-- uh, JUMP!"

(They jump.)

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has joined the combo started by Homura Akemi!

<Pose Tracker> Homura Akemi [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Madoka affirms: they did it, SHE did it. All that joy on her face...

Homura smiles, big and bright and ''happy''--

--"eeek!" And then she jumps.

COMBAT: COMBO! Homura Akemi and Madoka Kaname have used Stolen Ordinance and Twinkle Burst on Hotaru Tomoe.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe braces 9 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Umbrella-Fu, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Hotaru Tomoe's Block and
Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe dodges 9 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Liberating Gale, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Hotaru Tomoe's Fade
and Flash abilities activate! Bind Break! All of Fuu Hououji's debuffs are cleared!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe braces 21 Fatigue damage from Endo Naoki's Blauverschiebung, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki is Psyched!
Hotaru Tomoe's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe fails to dodge Sourisi's Crashing Tooth, taking 31 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe braces 9 Fatigue damage from Steven Universe's Shield Slam, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Steven Universe is
Psyched! Hotaru Tomoe's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe partially dodges 9 Fatigue damage from Kasagami Araki's Rose Flash, taking 36 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
Kasagami Araki is Psyched! Hotaru Tomoe's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe braces 30 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Obsidian Blade: Dauntlessness, taking 13 Fatigue damage!
Mikoto Minagi is Psyched! Hotaru Tomoe's Block and Parry abilities activate!
+heal: Fatigue set to 1.

COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe fails to dodge Homura Akemi and Madoka Kaname's Combo: Stolen Ordinance, taking 68 Fatigue damage! Hotaru
Tomoe is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Hotaru Tomoe [Infinity Institute (6)] has posed.

Chaos at the gate. The porch. The landing.

Fumiko lays about with her parasol; Fuu sends blasts of wind into the lines alongside Niramo's tonfa, just as Mikoto and Endo and Steven arrive with swords and shield respectively and start knocking drones about like ninepins. Kasagami joins in and by then it's just a big debris cloud with the occasional slash line of a blade, or any of the other weapons, with a golden arm or leg, trailing sparks and glittering wiring, emerging from the fray now and again. The debris cloud roughly triples in size after Madoka and Homura's bomb strafing run (though some of those explosions might be a little ''close'')!

They're winning, but this delay is coming at a cost. The entire fortress shakes as the already inaudible squeal of the dimensions ratchets up another notch, the vibrations pouring down from the floors above twisting and contorting the universe itself, creating weird, rainbow streaks in the air.

Earth is in danger--!

The initial fracas ends when the sheer momentum of the group slams into the front doors, and they shatter into nothing, revealing an immense atrium.

Despite the bleakness of the fortress' exterior, the interior shines gold and glorious, with spiraling staircases and glowing pillars. The floor, however, is very odd indeed -- the blue-purple of Dimensional Space is running hotter in here, sliding up the spectrum towards crimson. Black veins pour across it in a spiderweb.

Before anyone enters, Lindy hastily transmits:

<< Stay on the black path! Those glowing spots... they're Imaginary Space, and it's terribly dangerous! The Jewel Seed activation must have created it... it will absorb all of your magic, no matter what it is or where it comes from. So if you fall in, you'll never fly out! >>

As though summoned by this observation, more drones pour into the area, sending a barrage of blasts across the gaps. These ones can fly, and they're painfully mobile, though they do (effortlessly) stay above the black lines.

A voice drifts through the space, distorted by magic -- and madness. It's sing-song, like a lullabye.

<< Not much longer now, Alicia. Not much further, my darling. I know... we've waited so long... >>

A lullabye sung by someone with half a lung, maybe. Precia sounds cracked. Raw.

And if they can hear her... maybe she can hear them.

But there's still the matter of the drones. There are so ''many''. And are they getting larger?

"Break through!" calls Nanoha, then follows her own advice, summoning a massive pink beam in an instant.

<< DIVINE! >> chimes Raising Heart, enthusiastically.

"BUSTAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Huh? (Type "help" for help.)

Huh? (Type "help" for help.)

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

Perhaps it's because Arf knows what it's like to bury your feelings and not really say what you're thinking that she doesn't snap immediately at the idea of Eas trading one master for another. There's something cutting in her gaze, like Eas doesn't fool her even for a moment. "Fine. Whatever. We both know why we're really here."

-=-=-

too good asset

work with me.

why really here

It's simply really. The simplest kind of math is substitution. If she can't find worth in the feelings of her mother, then perhaps she could find it in the feelings of those girls who were trying to talk to her all along.

In the people who actually care about her.

It's unfathomable to her why anyone should care about her after she hurt them in the worst kind of ways.

Yet, she can't deny that against all odds, some of them must.

Why did she save me?

She wants to hear the answer with her own ears, some part of her decides. The fact of the matter is that these girls thought she was worth saving.

-=-=-

It happens gradually. First it's just the rhythm of her breathing changing subtly. A twitch of her fingers and toes. And her eyes just opening just slightly.

"Why is that?" The girl murmurs almost inaudibly. A question perhaps, that some part of her knew the answer to, yet it feels distant. To a sudden answering cry of... "FEITO!" As Arf suddenly clutches at her in sudden surprise over her recovery. "Duh-Don't you ever scare me like that again-" Lifting her hand off the bed, she rubs Arf behind the ears. "I'm sorry that I worried you..." She murmurs, "... I'm sorry that I thought you left me."

Arf tries to hold it back in for a moment, before she breaks into sobbing openly over her. "You're such a good girl Arf..." She says with a sort of sickbed fondness, before her eyes drift over to Eas. "... I think I heard you while I..." She mumbles, then corrects herself, "...no I'm sure of it..."

There are a few seconds of silence, perhaps it is simply the girl now looking at Eas in wonder. The sounds of battle are being piped in her mind, the joyful squeals of Madoka and Homura, the small triumphs, the cries of pain. The voice of her mother saying it won't be much longer. The call of Nanoha and the spell she's witnessed so many times now.

"... This isn't where I need to be right now."

She decides, despite not looking like she's in any state to go anywhere.

"There's an answer to a question I want... no... it's more that I need to hear it..." She closes her eyes, "...from someone who called my name."

Huh? (Type "help" for help.)

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Together, the magical warriors trash the gilded garbage heaps. However, it was far from effortless for some. "Yeah... would it hurt... them to give out... a little change," quips Serpentina as she bounces between them with umbrella strikes, while trying to catch her breath. She is clearly hurting a bit, but doing her best to shake it off.

Inside the fortress is... exactly what she was expecting. "Tacky, false elegance combined with cliche evil demon decor," she remarks. "Classy." One foot above a glowing spot and-

"Whoa! Thanks for the head's up!" She pivots and hops back to safety, luckily without touching that Imaginary Space. Her sigh of relief doesn't last long as more drones are summoned.

"Seriously?"

COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Homura Akemi.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Madoka Kaname.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Kasagami Araki.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Steven Universe.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe has used Pretty Deadly Lights on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi perfectly dodges 20 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
Critical Dodge! Mikoto Minagi's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
+heal: Fatigue set to 300.

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname perfectly counters 20 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
Critical Counter!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname's counterattack, Like A Bolt Out of the Blue, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Sourisi partially dodges 4 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 15 Fatigue damage! Sourisi's
Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji counters 6 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 17 Fatigue damage! Diversion
applied to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji's counterattack, Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi, partially gets through, doing 12 Fatigue damage to Hotaru Tomoe!
Critical Counterhit!
COMBAT: Kasagami Araki braces 12 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 10 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue perfectly counters 22 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
Critical Counter! Fumiko Inoue's Reverse ability activates!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue's counterattack, Cobra's Hood, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Steven Universe perfectly dodges 21 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
Critical Dodge!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

With the 'bots firing upon her and her leg still hurt, there was little chance of dodging. Thus, she opens her parasol in front of her as the beams hit, parrying them, then when the shots towards her have a break in them, opens it even further to invert it, sending a powerful gust of wind at them while sliding her back. Thank goodness she remembered there was no Imaginary Space behind her, or that would have been reckless.

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Wind Wall on Hotaru Tomoe.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki braces 8 Fatigue damage from Hotaru Tomoe's Pretty Deadly Lights, taking 12 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki's Block
and Parry abilities activate! Cripple and Diversion applied to Endo Naoki!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

"I have to wonder what else she could possibly have used these resources for instead of automated magical robot guards," the Wind Knight observse mildly as she takes a look at the second wave of drones - an even larger wave than the group that met them out front. They don't really have time for a stand-up fight, either - the Jewel Seeds, and Precia herself, aren't going to give them time for a nice leisurely slugfest, be it physical or magical.

So the Wind Knight plays dirty, unleashing one of her strongest spells with a shout of, "Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi!!" even as the drones fire off a massive barrage at the charging magical girls. The tempest is witheringly effective, throwing some of the drones' aim off - and buying the Magic Knight of Wind enough of an opening to make sure of where she's placing her feet with each running step forward, dodging the pitfalls of Imaginary Space and staying on the black line ahead.

A handful of heartbeats later, and she's plowing into the drones much like Kasagami and Mikoto did outside. Not that the Wind Knight can match either of them for practiced skill - but hopefully she doesn't really have to; the size and sharpness and weight of her sword will hopefully make up for a lack of finesse. It doesn't matter how cleanly the drones are cut ...

The problem, and objective, is simply to *cut* them.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Sword Strike on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Eas [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

All this effort, put forth for a girl who doesn't even seem to want it. Eas glances again to the magical view before her, to the heated conflict and use of power she's accustomed to seeing on the opposite side of a battlefield.

...But there's something so terribly ''unsettling'' about Precia's voice.

The girl from Labyrinth doesn't look back at Arf; maybe on some level she knows the kind of look that would be waiting for her. Maybe she's just focused on Fate. After all...

"Yeah," she says distantly. "We know why."

-=-=-

She can't read thoughts; she can't always read ''faces'', why would something deeper be any easier? But inevitably Setsuna finds herself watching Fate again, waiting; she doesn't know what else to say. She doesn't know what she ''can'' say, or do, or... Anything. It's wrong--everything about this just presses against something inside her that she cannot accept. And yet...

'Why is that?'

"W-what?" Setsuna answers, blinking, unsure for an instant that she heard her right. "Fate--"

Setsuna leans towards her, a hand down on the bed before she abrubtly stops, seeing the way Fate is looking at her, and at this point Eas glances away, hesitant. "I mean... I just... don't have anywhere else I need to be, so..."

Of course Fate heard her. How much had she said? The questions come quickly, before Fate abrubtly makes a decision. Setsuna turns to Fate again, and looks--if anything--surprised, before she frowns. It is not in anger this time, or derision, it's just... Thought.

"Then what are you going to do?" she asks the younger girl.

She makes no move; she's still sitting down beside the bed, watching Fate, as the sounds of battle ring out nearby and not nearby at all. Her fingers curl, not quite into a fist. "Where are you going to go, during all... this?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Winds howl, blades and shield clash against drones and...an comically oversized arrow acting like a bomber jet? A few short months of her magic evil fighting career can't help Sourisi to just ignore that last part, which makes a small part of her glad that she's away from those explosions as she stares upward before collecting herself. "...that actually looks like fun."

The vibrations coming from the upper reaches of the fortress intensify and break Sourisi free from her musings. Hopefully there will be time to ponder about rocket rides later, Earth and so many other planets is in trouble. One mother's mad grief threatens to destroy everything they hold dear.

Serpentina gets a worried look from Sourisi as they ascend the stairs towards the front gate. The opening barrage has hit hard, after all...

The grand golden doors simply shatter when they are reached, but the interior of the hall beyond gives a hint as to why, as well as showing just how dire everything is already becoming. Lindy is quick to give advice through her mind, and Sourisi is glad she didn't just try to run across the floor. That would have been a disaster. "That's...good to know!"

Sourisi doesn't have the time to comment on the waste of gold plating around them as more drones appear, though the look of annoyance is clear, eyemask or not. "Seriously? Just the robots outside should have been enough!"

Sadly, it seems that evil will always have hundreds of disposeable minions to slow down the warriors of good and justice.

With the black lines acting like the only safe path to traverse forward through the Imaginary Space, Sourisi's room to safely leap to and fro for safely is limited. Several burns form along the Miraculous User's outfit from near misses, and it takes a moment for Sourisi to collect her breath and attempt to push the pain aside for the moment. "Why can't there be robots that shoot blasts of energy that heal people?!" Not that she expected an answer, it was just her fustration finding an outlet.

The castle has only been breached so far, after all.

Serpentina is quick to knock the nearest robots off balance with a burst of air, and Sourisi takes the time to act while she can. Leaping over Serpentina to the other side of the black line, a pair of tonfa comes crashing down in a overhead blow at the nearest defender. "This is a no blasting zone, glitter bots!"

COMBAT: Sourisi has used Forest Down on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.

Steve keeps charging and charging and does not stop, even as Mikoto, Kasagami and Endo swirl around him. Now he does veer some to the left or right as he goes due to explosives dropped from above, but hey, sometimes ya gotta move! Or else you might go missing a foot.

A vicious combination of attacks rend the door into less than pieces, and inside is quite the sight. "It's so..." the correct word is beautiful, but the floor takes the word away before it can be spoken. It is both awe-inspiring and stirs a primal fear inside of him at the same time.

The boy has to stop and grit his teeth for a moment. the resonant effect from the central point of the castle is ratcheting up, and that feeling in his Gem hurts, radiating out to the rest of him. He shakes it off and keeps going, however! Which is all good and well, as Lindy sends a transmission warning on the floor.

"Okay, should be fine, just travrse this carefully and--" As if on queue, the drones come in, and they are flying, of course. Making this part impossibly difficult.

But somehow, he manages! Perhaps all the dodging, rolling and learning to be a quick thinker in Gem ruins is really paying off! He goes unscathed on the initial volley. Attempting to find a safe path to move forward without the ability to fly. As he moves, he raises his shield, and it almost sings as it moves through the air.

The boy just waits for the next drone to take a shot before he tries proceeding forward, being in a defensible position. The nearby attackers will be met with a high frequency effect of their own.

COMBAT: Steven Universe has used Reverb Shield on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

With one final slash to the air as the door guards are collectively sliced, pounded, winded, parosol'd, and pink carpetbomb'd, Kasagami flicks her blade clean of any gold bits that dare stick around. She politely baff-baff's part of her shredded longcoat, slightly smoldering from a too-close pipe bomb. Thankfully there's no ill will given Homura's way!

She didn't know the girl had it in her, really.

But those thoughts are for later. Right now, they need to move. Lindy's caution gives Kasagami context. She tries not to think too hard about this Imaginary Space, focusing on the lines of black that act as their safe passage.

There are also flying robots to contend with. With blasts raining down on her, Kassie takes a moment to duck the first few blows tossed her way. She doesn't have optimal room to move here, and she's no flying mage. Thankfully there's a certain brown haired mage bringing a Divine Busting to bear, and even here Kasagami can't help but admire the young woman's pure talent for power and long ranged fury. Her hair flutters in the backblast. Even with old memories lurking in her head and her heart still beating painfully at the reminders, it brings something of that spark back to her. A grin seeks to crawl up her face.

And with the Wind Knight leaping into the fray, she won't be outdone either! Rushing forward in an errating pattern, she's leaning and pushing on the tips of her toes as she charges. Stray shots hammer her shoulders and sides, but this time she barrels past them until she can get ''just'' below one of the larger of the shooting robots.

Only to lift her leg up, knee nearly to her chest, slamming her back heel down as she instantly arrests her movement in a thigh and calve straining maneuver that makes mockery of the conventional notion of athleticism.

Like a swan diving in reverse, up Kasagami goes as one hand guides up, while the other holds the middle of her nodachi's grip. It's no spear, but she's leaping for the big golden drone with a stabbing fury aimed for whatever might pass for a robot heart!

Should she even stab it a little? Kasagami takes the reigns of her sword once more with both hands, tearing it out in a violent, slashing arc mid-air!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Through the doors and into the fortress, Endo keeps running. There's a short glance paid toward his sides as he goes, a fist briefly raised toward fellow charging companions. There's a brief moment to take a breath after, to survey the golden halls of the fortress and the black lines moving across the floor.

Imaginary space is also concerning, Endo scooting far away from the glowing points. "That sounds dangerous." The fact that there are more robots arriving makes avoiding said dangerous places a bit harder, as the space becomes increasingly crowded with enemies.

"Aaah...how many of these did she make?" Endo has only a second to complain before one of the golden drones smashes into him, driving him backward. He teeters for a moment at the edge of not-imaginary space, and then he rights himself once more.

Again he cuts at the robots, blade sweeping out to catch any that draw too near. He stays mostly in place, keeping within in the dark lines and herding anything he misses toward nearby allies.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Blauverschiebung on Hotaru Tomoe.
COMBAT: Kasagami Araki has used Riding My Coattails on Hotaru Tomoe.

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

When the floor is lava, what happens to all the people who ''can't'' fly?

The doors reveal a world of glittering gold, and the perilous lacework within. "It... absorbs?" Mikoto echoes, hesitation in her voice for the first time. There are so few things in life which give her pause, especially on the battlefield, but there are things she must protect, and her hands tighten around it.

But that woman sings a rasping lullaby.

"... damaged," Mikoto murmurs, as the words reach her delicate ears. "Chest, or throat..." Her eyes widen as she comprehends the truth behind the one-way trip. It's not just a matter of leaving Earth.

It means Precia has nothing to lose.

It means they have everything to lose.

Nanoha directs them forward and it is the most natural thing in the world. Mikoto gathers her courage and springs into the atrium, and in the end, it's not an unfamiliar sort of path to her. How many rooftops has she scaled, walking tightrope over signage with a drop which would surely destroy her without her vestments about her? They're all high-stakes balancing acts.

Knowing the stakes, it is as natural as breathing to weave and leap and duck around the energy blasts which threaten to knock them off-balance. She stops to offer Endo a hand as he teeter-totters at the edge of safety. "Endo ever heard of getting out of the way?" She remarks, frowning, but she can't hide the fact that she's relieved he didn't fall.

But Mikoto is spending so much time moving that she doesn't have time to set down her blade in these things, and it is rapidly, rapidly reaching frustration. They attack at range, and she is restricted to where she may tread. The horrible fact of the matter is that Mikoto still cannot fly. She couldn't fly last time this was a problem, and she won't be able to fly next time it comes up, either.

That's okay, though.

Because even though Mikoto can't fly, Mikoto has friends.

"Madoka!" Mikoto cries, as she springs back from one vein to another. "Let's do it!" 'It' is not something she bothers to explain -- they've done it enough times. Madoka is an adept ranged attacker. She's skilled at delivering arrows, and other things besides.

Like Mikoto.

And so Mikoto springs forward, and she trusts entirely that she will find purchase on an arrow when she lands. Madoka wouldn't leave her to fall into oblivion; this is something she can be entirely certain of. She charges along a pathway of them - one, another, a third, a fifth, eleventh. Each time those sensible Ohtori flats slam down, there is a shaft there to meet them, a path which hails down in the wake of them.

She springs just before impact, swinging blade overhead to cleave into the robots which have been herded in at the precise moment those arrows land.

COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has started a combo targeting Hotaru Tomoe!

<Pose Tracker> Madoka Kaname [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Every arrow that leaves Madoka's fingertips is a step for Mikoto -- a staircase, an escalator, an accelerating walkway like the ones in the airport.

Every arrow that leaves Madoka's fingertips is a blessing. The same blessing, but it doesn't get old.

be safe

be safe

be safe

And she has enough of them to go around. When she isn't shooting a path for Mikoto she is somehow finding time -- then again, she has the greatest possible advantage in that respect -- to shoot not to kill but to save. Out of the blue, an arrow intercepts a sizzling blast coming for her own face; another gets a descending blade headed towards the meleeists; the next disrupts a charge, midflight.

Her eyes narrow with remembered pain when she hears Precia's voice, and she nibbles her lip; it's the closest Mikoto gets to a misstep, but before she can so much as stumble an arrow has caught up with her foot. Her own feet worry back and forth as she shifts her weight, debating.

Well, it can't hurt to try.

"TESTAROSSA-SAN!" she shrieks into the storm of battle. "PLEASE STOP! IT CAN'T BE TOO LATE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH YOUR REAL FAMILY! THE ONES THAT ARE STILL HERE! YOU'RE HURTING THEM... AND YOURSELF! KNOWING FEITO YOU'RE HURTING HER ''BY'' HURTING YOURSELF, EVEN NOW!"

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has joined the combo started by Mikoto Minagi!
COMBAT: COMBO! Mikoto Minagi and Madoka Kaname have used Combo: Rainbow Road, composed of Obsidian Blade: Destruction and
Starlight, Starbright, on Hotaru Tomoe.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe braces 7 Fatigue damage from Fumiko Inoue's Wind Wall, taking 3 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Hotaru
Tomoe's Block and Parry abilities activate! Exhausted and Stagger applied to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe dodges 3 Fatigue damage from Fuu Hououji's Sword Strike, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Hotaru Tomoe's Fade and
Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe cleanly braces 23 Fatigue damage from Sourisi's Forest Down, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Hotaru
Tomoe's Block and Parry abilities activate! Stagger applied to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe dodges 15 Fatigue damage from Steven Universe's Reverb Shield, taking 10 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
Hotaru Tomoe's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Stagger and Stun applied to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe cleanly braces 23 Fatigue damage from Endo Naoki's Blauverschiebung, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki is
Psyched! Hotaru Tomoe's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe dodges 17 Fatigue damage from Kasagami Araki's Riding My Coattails, taking 25 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
Kasagami Araki is Psyched! Hotaru Tomoe's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe fails to brace Mikoto Minagi and Madoka Kaname's Combo: Rainbow Road, taking 89 Fatigue damage! Mikoto
Minagi and Madoka Kaname are Psyched!

<Pose Tracker> Hotaru Tomoe [Infinity Institute (6)] has posed.
<SoundTracker> Sakamaku Arashi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b-Q2hvh7xA

Things aren't going well.

It isn't that the magical girls are any less impressive. Quite to the contrary -- be it Fuu and Serpentina switching who's in melee and who's wielding the winds, or Steven switching to an entirely different way to warp space (sonically), or Sourisi, Kasagami and Endo wading through drones like farmers threshing wheat, or Mikoto and Madoka's death from above -- they're strong and fierce and bold, and more importantly than any of that, they have something to fight for, and it matters.

But there are two problems.

First: the largest drones seem to be resonating with the Jewel Seeds, and every time they get sliced, diced, julienned or outright exploded, they send new veins of Imaginary Space flowing away from them in all direction. Like a horrible game of 'the carpet is lava', this part of the fortress is rapidly becoming unsafe to stand on, or even fly over.

And it isn't even the floor anymore. It's spreading upwards. Pillars, halfway adsorbed into the fluorescent void, are crashing to the side, then breaking in half from the sucking force off the black paths and disappearing.

Inside and outside are losing meaning. The space that they're fighting in is, with every passing breath, becoming more egg-shaped. Or pear-shaped, maybe (literally and figuratively). Projectiles are starting to fly really strangely, harbinger of worse things to come if it progresses to the point that it's at the scale of the human body.

There is one benefit to this, however; without walls, it is possible to see someone in the distance.

Someone with long, wavy violet hair, a black robe, and a staff. Someone with twenty two piercingly bright points of blue light spinning around her head.

Someone with a large piece of equipment next to her, a... tube?... glowing brightly green.

She clutches her staff and coughs, forced to put her whole weight upon it lest she fall down on the spot. There's a tiny spatter of red among the weird, blooming lights of red, orbs of blood affected strangely by Imaginary Gravity.

They drift upwards to rotate around her head along with the Jewel Seeds, turning the azure blur of a halo faintly violet in combination.

<< Do you hear that? They are coming now. It doesn't matter though, because they're too late. Ne, Alicia? Oh Alicia... my sweet child... >>

And second: they aren't keeping up with the drones. For every two they destroy another four appear.

In fact -- they're -- surrounded. Precia (though she wasn't nearby, whatever meaning distance truly has anymore) disappears behind closing ranks of magical robots a half dozen drones deep.

They rear back to strike as one--!

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

"Is that right?" Fate says, without actually probing, seeming to at least understand Eas' intent. "Well... thank you for thinking of me during your time off..."

The girl says as she slides out of bed and Arf has to catch her from falling. Feito seriously!? I know you can handle a lot but this is too much! You need to take it easy!" Fate gives her head a little shake and steadies herself. "There's no time for taking it easy Arf... there's... no time at all if I don't do this now. Please..."

Arf tends to cave to Fate almost instantly when she's like this, and this time is no different, as she hesitantly outstretches a hand holding Bardiche. "Don't overdo it too much."

The state of Bardiche was shocking. All the cracks around the tortured sleek triangle. Fate hesitantly takes it from Arf and speaks quietly, "Bardiche...? Status Report." There was a delay, before a voice sputters. <Y... Seh>

Bardiche transforms into a polearm that's been halved, barely enough handle for her to put a hand hold on. Cracks line the yellow gem around the spidery webbed structural damage he's suffered. "Just look at you. You shouldn't even be functional right now..." However then in wonder she notes, "... you hate the idea of it ending like this too don't you?"

It's become too much, all the people she's hurt, all the people on her side who got hurt because of her. Several tear drops fall, and the girl looks surprised, like she's hasn't in some time.

She gives herself no time to ruminate on it though. Instead she feels golden mana flare up, limming her in an aura. As Bardiche chimes, <Res... shun>

Bardiche shimmers, and in seconds he is new, sleek, as if he'd simply been crafted yesterday by Linith to be placed in the hands of the proud child. He makes a triumphant metallic chime. <Condition: All Green. Barrier Jacket Set Up.>

Lightning flashes within the Takamachi Dojo as the girl is girded in her barrier jacket piece by piece.

"Where else?" The girl answers Eas of Labyrinth. "We're going home... one last time."

COMBAT: Fate Testarossa transforms into Youma Form Fate Testarossa: Classic!

<Pose Tracker> Eas [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

"...Yeah," Eas says in answer to Fate. "It's not a problem." Maybe Fate gets it--but as long as she doesn't say it, Eas is going to act like it's casual, nothing major, avoid having to actually think too hard about its implications.

Instead she lifts an eyebrow as she sees Fate getting out of bed. Surprise, but--unlike Arf--no insistence otherwise. She still doesn't know what Fate intends enough for her to object. "...You sure?" she asks, instead.

Eas is the ''last'' girl who's going to stop someone pushing themselves. Working with Fate as she had... she can respect her enough for that much.

She looks in silence where Fate meets with Bardiche--broken. Nearly destroyed. It shouldn't be functional, and yet... He appears to be. The taller girl looks over both of them; she doesn't even comment on the tears. "..."

But something happens; a shimmering light, the flare of mana, and Setsuna shifts back, standing up to look over the lightning and the chime.

"You..." She stops, and nods, slowly, straightening her shoulders. "Yeah," Setsuna agrees, her hands sliding into her pockets in apparently perfect disaffection. "That wouldn't have been any good for an ending at all."

<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
<SoundTracker> Don't be Long - Nana Mizuki - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2vo5vj?start=20

Fate Testarossa's arrival home is typically a quiet affair within the Garden of Time. She knows better than to make a fuss or a spectacle under normal circumstances. Drawing attention from her mother when her mood is uncertain is typically the worst kind of idea.

<Arc Saber>

Today perhaps is different in that her homecoming is a louder affair.

Because she announces herself with a twisting scythe blade that slams into one of the drones, as she attempts to force it to lose footing and crash into the next drone, and the one beside that. The momentum of the blade perhaps cannot ultimately win against the mass of it.

However... that's when someone else starts her own pincer attack from the opposite direction, as if both sides were now caught in a vice.

"Get clear!" She says as she sweeps Bardiche to point in the direction of its missing Scythe Blade, and announcing, "Saber Explode."

The scythe blade detonates in the gambit intended to give the other Mahou Shoujo some breathing room.

"Breaking through all of my mother's defenses will be tough..."

The girl says without looking as if she wasn't even acknowledging the others Magical Girls.

"... but... together."

There's something almost shy about the admission. An acknowledgement that she wants things to change.

... If they'll have her.

COMBAT: Fate Testarossa has started a combo targeting Hotaru Tomoe!

<Pose Tracker> Eas [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

From nowhere at all comes a sharp feminine voice, a wordless battlecry following on the heels of Fate's arrival.

"Haaah--!"

Fate Testarossa's arrival home is typically a quiet affair. But today is different indeed. As Fate's magic impacts a set of drones, something from the shadows shifts, a blurring motion that quickly resolves itself as a pale girl in black.

"Not good enough!"

A wall crashes down behind, fading into the darkness. She swings towards them and whirls into a spinning kick that flows naturally into a set of punches, each given the force of the monsters she has brought to bear on any of them. With each, she lands on impossible footing, jumping up again as the floor starts to break beneath her in places.

'Get clear!'

As quickly as the figure came, she shifts back, handspringing off of cracking pillar and landing before the rest of the group, staring down the explosion as it comes. ...Now that she's not in motion, it's clear who she is--the shiny black, the pale red, the white hair...

Eas, denizen of Labyrinth, turns her head to look over the assembled magical girls, imperious. "It'll be tough," she agrees, "But you'd better not let that stop you."

She turns the rest of the way, "...Don't get me wrong. I'm just here with my ally."

Eas doesn't ask permission--she just looks ahead, to the shape beyond... and maybe the most terrifying woman she's ever met, in the distance.

COMBAT: Eas transforms into Eas!
COMBAT: Eas has joined the combo started by Fate Testarossa!
COMBAT: COMBO! Fate Testarossa and Eas have used Combo: Dark Magical Girl Recruitment Drive, composed of Arc Saber and Ill
Fortune, on Hotaru Tomoe.
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe fails to counter Fate Testarossa and Eas's Combo: Dark Magical Girl Recruitment Drive, taking 123 Fatigue
damage! Critical Hit! Hotaru Tomoe is unable to keep fighting! Hotaru Tomoe is Quipped! Stagger applied to Hotaru Tomoe!
COMBAT: Hotaru Tomoe's counterattack, Safety In Numbers, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Fate Testarossa!

<Pose Tracker> Hotaru Tomoe [Infinity Institute (6)] has posed.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[[Category:Logs]]

Previously On Battle Fantasia

2019-01-05T23:19:14Z

Blasktin:

2019-01-03 - TIMELINE 1: My Dinner With Chat

2019-01-04T02:57:43Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: TIMELINE 1: My Dinner With Chat'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Tom and Sabine Dupain-Cheng discover Marinette alone one night with Chat Noir and immediately get the wrong idea! They invite Chat Noir to have a date with Marinette at their home, and Marinette drags in Niramo for support.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Adrien Agreste]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Dupain-Cheng Residence
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
01-03-2019 - 08-05-2014
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It should have been a bright sunny August day. In every non-metaphysical way, in fact, it is; the days stretch on, cicadas cry in the distance, and there's just enough heat in the air that ice cream vendors are making a killing. Juuban's classrooms are a bastion of monotonous lectures and glaring sunlight, and every student's mind was wont to wander to fun activities waiting when classes came to an end.

Well. Almost every student.

"Niramo-chan. My friend. Why did classes have to end today? Why couldn't this school day have stretched on into some endless purgatory of education from which we could never escape?!" Marinette's feet plod on the familiar walk towards her home as her eyes search for any kind of escape. The skies, treacherously bereft of the stormclouds the day warrants, continue to be bright and blue. "This is it. My life as a teenager has come to an end, and there's no hope of salvation for me. Tell my story."

That walk is home to some amenities, though, like the aforementioned ice cream vendors. A frozen treat later, and with the relative privacy of a quiet road, Marinette explains in detail. "Okay. So - you remember that Akuma the other day, the gargantuan rampaging toddler? Thanks to...one thing and another, I wound up with his toy while I was Marinette. Chat Noir went to tidy up, dropped by my place - and then Papa saw him on my balcony, assumed I'd been hiding a superhero boyfriend, and /invited him to dinner tonight/."

She gestures wildly with her ice cream bar, droplets of coffee-cream flicking out as she verbally flails. "I didn't even get a chance to explain - that stupid stray cat accepted cheerfully! So now I'm stuck trying to explain a relationship, and desperately trying to find a way to have it not seem like wedding bells are on the horizon, and I need moral support and any kind of hope of not becoming a cat bride! Niramo-chan, is there any chance you can join us for supper, and maybe help me explain?"

Briefly, sheepishly, she holds up her phone. "I tried asking Adrien-kun too, but apparently he has 'plans' tonight. Treachery, base treachery..."

~@~@~

And then there's the bakery. Warm, inviting, with the shop portion closed for the evening. Even though the sun is still high, the hour of supper looms close...and the bakers of this little patisserie have more important things to do than stay open another hour. There's a light on in the window, and delicious smells emanating from within...for those brave enough to introduce themselves to Tom Dupain.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.
Despite being a famous fashion model, Chat did feel nervous about his outfit. Going on a 'date' in his super identity did make things rather tricky. He currently wore his regular outfit, but he put on the best silk black tie to go around his neck, and then found a gold belt to go around his waist. He had a feeling his father wouldn't have approved his fashion choice in this case, but frankly Chat had other issues on his mind.

He jumped over the rooftops as he pondered. On the one hand, a girl confessed to him! That had never happened to him. On the other, it had been his friend Marinette. She was a great friend, but Chat wasn't certain how he felt about her as a potential girlfriend. Besides, it felt wrong to be considering it when his heart already belong to his ladybug.

What to do, what to do? He had called Niramo to get her advice about the situation.

"Be calm, courteous, be yourself and try to keep the puns to a minimum if you can. One or two is fine, but you want to have a 'paw'isititve relationship, right?"

It made sense, it was going to be hard to hold back the puns considering Marinette's parents were bakers, but he would do it. He stood at the building that was in front of the bakery and took a deep breath as he landed on the ground. "Just relax, no pressure and we'll see how this goes," he mutters to himself as he adjusts his tie and ran his claws through his hair to straighten them. Everything would be just fine.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Despite how bright and cheerful the day outside is, it doesn't change the fact that Niramo was inside Juuban for extra classes. No, not for bad grades or the like, but in a moment of twisted evil, Takk had actually forged her parent's signature to sign her up for a bit of classes in the middle of the summer break. "A little more knowledge is worth your free time. Stop acting like you're suffering!"

Niramo is still impressed the tiny mouse did such a good job on the signatures. Not that she's going to let Takk know.

Back in the present, Niramo is honestly starting to get worried about Marrinette. She's used to her friend's quirks by now, but the way she has been acting today...it was more like she wished Hawkmoth would attack them directly then face her troubles at home. "You mean the toddler that swung me around by my tail like I was a rattle? I wish I could forget that." The news that Chat Noir had met Marinette and...actually been invited to dinner was a shock. Not for the first time, Niramo fights the urge to just tell Marinette who Chat Noir was under the mask, but...hey, things can't be that bad, right?

Oh, how little did Niramo knew.

"Wait, they think Chat Noir is your boyfriend? Um...well, real life is nowhere near as crazy as some manga plotlines. There's no chance they're going to enforce marriage onto you two...y-yeah, i'm sure of it." The remains of a strawberry-flavored popsicle is dispose strawberry-flavored popsicle is disposed of in the trash, and Niramo turns to give Marinette a comforting one-armed hug. "And of course i'll be there! I'm not going to leave you alone on the battlefield of love, even if it's sort of misguided!"

-----

Arriving a little early this evening and with butterflies in her stomach, Niramo was dressed up a nice thin-strap blue dress that comes to her knees and just a touch of makeup on her face. It was the best she could do on such short notice, but she's not going to leave two friends in need. They both needed support, even if they both didn't seem to realize it. So many things could go wrong tonight, but if things go well enough...well, maybe the Ladybug could finally have a date with a black cat. It's clear the two have feelings for each other, even if it happens to be on the opposite sides of the masks.

Knocking on the bakery door, Niramo waits to be greeted with that warm-hearted father of Marinette.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

"...you're sure there's no Akuma, Tikki? No weird giant monsters? No challenge from a resurrected ancient queen bent on revenging herself on a reincarnated-"

In her room, Marinette receives a firm bop on the nose from her partnered Kwami. "Don't try to dodge away from this! I keep telling you that honesty is the best policy - apart from keeping a secret identity, that is. I'm sure if you patiently explain things, your parents will understand!"

Marinette's response is to roll over and scream into her pillow. "Papa and Maman are both just so...enthusiastic! It's like they've been waiting all year for me to declare interest in someone, and now that they think I have they're going into four million percent approval!" With a sigh, she flips herself out of bed and onto her feet. "At least Niramo's going to try to help out. I just need to get dressed - I think the white blouse? It's a bit warm for my usual cardigan." She hems and haws until the door opens downstairs, at which point there's a flurry of panic.

~@~@~

"Good evening! You must be - oh, you're Marinette's friend. Right, she said you'd be dropping by..." Tom Dupain, as ever, is a towering barrel of a man. He's dressed up a little bit, breaking out his good chef's smock and giving the buttons a good polish. White and silver, with just a faint dusting of flour visible in his moustache.

He scratches his head for a moment, but steps aside to let Niramo in. Once the doorway is clear, though, he sticks his head outside to look up at the skies above. "I guess teenagers today bring friends along on their dates? How quickly times change..."

Clearing his throat as he closes the door, he smiles beneath his moustache. "Welcome to our home! Sabine is finishing up the hors d'oeuvres, so you can wait in the living room if you like, or go up to see-"

Footsteps interrupt him as Marinette races down the stairs three at a time. She arrives in the foyer short of breath, wearing a nice blouse with a pink pencil skirt - slightly dressed up, but still semi-casual. "Oh thank god you're here. I mean - good evening! I guess Chat Noir isn't here after all, oh well, such a shame we'll-"

And then there's a knock on the door, as Chat appears to have made his arrival. Tom throws open the door with palpable glee, voice booming out. "Good evening! You must be the nice young man Marinette's been hiding from us - come in, come in! It smells like the goat cheese canapes are almost ready - make yourself at home!"

So that's the entryway, with Marinette looking like a startled deer.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat gave the biggest grin as he was greeted at the door and tried not to flinch from the enthuisatic grip Tom had as he shook his hands. Who knew baker's hands could be so strong? "Thank you for having me," Chat greeted and sniffs the air. "Yum, they smell delicious. I am a fan of both fish and cheese!"

He resists the urge to make a fish related pun as spots Niramo and moves towards her. "Glad to see you're here," he whispers to her. "I'm a bit nervous." He looks over her outfit. "You look nice by the way."

Then Marientte appears in the door. Chat clears his throat, takes a bow and presents the single rose had had been hiding. "Here, a rose for a rose," he said as he winked, "although you are far less thorny in my experience," he said with a wink and prays Marientte smiles in reaction.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The door opens wide as Tom Dupain greets Niramo enthusiastically at first, but that enthusiasm dies down quickly when he realizes that it was only Niramo at the door and not a certain black cat. "Oh, it's quite alright, Tom-san. Marinette wanted me to come and give her support. She's, um..., well, a little nervous about having you meet Chat Noir in person, so here I am!" Letting herself in quickly, the fact that she's here to support two friends on a date doesn't change the fact that Sabine's cooking is filling the air. It's almost enough to make up for how stressful this night is going to be!

Almost.

Marinette arrives down the stairs almost at a fall, and Niramo waves a hand in greeting, not trusting her smile this evening. "Marinette-chan, thanks again for inviting me over. I-I'm sure he's only a little late!" Oh dear, Marinette is already in full panic mode, and Chat isn't even here yet-

Another knock at the door introduces Chat Noir into the doorway, and Niramo can't help but find it so surreal on how Chat Noir looks in a tie. The gold belt fits well with his suit, however! "Of course, i'm sure things are going to go great tonight! And I actually pictured you wearing a bow tie for some reason..." A conspiratory whisper is shared, and a quick wink is passed along to help cheer Chat Noir up. Giant rampaging toddlers barely bother the Miraculous Cat, but a date with a friend is almost too much!

Looking back over at Marinette has Niramo climbing up the stairs to help reboot her friend. Marinette.exe is not going to have a fatal error tonight! "Marinette-chan, I know it's a little hard, but keep calm, okay? You'll do fine tonight! And look, he even brought a flower. He really is a charmer." One hand gives Marinette a gentle push forward, and Niramo is praying to whatever gods that may be listening that tonight wouldn't end catastrophically. Was that too much to ask for?

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

He's here. Chat Noir, the obnoxious stray cat, actually followed through and showed up and he has flowers what even is this reality?!

Swaying like a flower in a spring breeze, Marinette takes the flower, staring at the bloom dumbfounded. "You...even brought a flower." Echoing Niramo, she slowly looks up from the single rose to the single rose-bearer. The joke finally sinks in, and there is a smile in response - although the laughter definitely has a touch of nervousness. "I...try not to be? I mean, better to get things going on the right petal - I mean root - I mean foot!"

There's a glance to Niramo, as if to say 'SAVE ME', but there's little hope of Marinette staying calm.

Fortunately, Tom is an excellent host. "Well, I'm sure you're used to not having this much of an audience - shall we retire to the dining room? Sabine and I have been hard at work!"

They have. And it shows. The first course, at least, has something of a French edge to it - mostly comprised of pastries. The star of the show is the 'vol au vent' - a puff-pastry cup filled with a creamy goat-cheese filling and topped with a thin slice of fish. There's a couple of fruitier options, as well, and Tom busies himself pouring drinks for all.

Sabine - a shorter woman, also dressed as a professional chef - leans forward, resting her chin on folded hands. "Welcome, Chat Noir. We've certainly heard a lot about you - but only third-hand, at best. It's a pleasure to have a hero here in our home - tell me, how did you and our dear Marinette meet?"

She's smiling. That's a good thing, right?

In her seat next to Chat Noir - because of course her parents arranged seating accordingly - Marinette tries to shrink down as much as possible, as if it's possible to hide behind a wineglass of water. It...really isn't.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat smiles, happy with the response and Chat is finding Marientte to be rather adorable at the moment. His eyes widened at the sight of food.

"Goodness, Sir, this is a feast fit for a king," he exclaims and sincerely means it. "I feel honored to just gaze upon it." Chat hope his stomach wouldn't rumble at the sight. Granted, he knew Marienette's family were highly regarded when it came to food. The few times Adrien had come here to study, her parents were always presenting glorious snacks. For Chat, who was always on a strict model style diet, they were a treat in this. But this...this felt like a dream.

However, his eye the food candy in front of him is stopped short as Tom asks a question. Chat laughs nervously as he tucked his hand behind his head. "Uh well, it's an interesting story," the truth was in class, but Chat couldn't say that without giving himself away, then his brain clicked, "it was during one of my first adventures!" He patted Marientte's shoulder. "There was an Akuma that was in love with Marinette and I had to act as her personal bodyguard, and I was more than happy to do so." He nodded proudly. "I was very impressed by her bravely back then.

He looks to Niramo for encouragement. That was a good answer, right? There was nothing wrong with that, right?

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It takes a powerful surge of willpower not to bury her head into her hands as Marinette stumbles over her words, but somehow Niramo resists the urge to do so. Marinette always seems to know what to do when Ladybug was on center stage, but her secret identity has trouble with the most normal of situations! Then again, this isn't exactly a normal situation, was it?

All Niramo could do was shift her shoulders slightly in apology to Marinette before she is whisked away with Tom. But at least Chat Noir was doing his best to be polite.

When Marinette had mentioned that her parents were giving it their all now that she had a 'boyfriend', Niramo understandably thought that Marinette was simply overreacting. It's what she's prone to do, after all. But seeing the first course that Sabine has prepared...well, it's safe to say that one butterfly in Niramo's stomach has just multiplied. 'Uh oh...they're really serious about this!' Quietly taking her seat across the table from Marinette and Chat Noir, she tries her best to smile at both of her friends.

And Chat Noir is able to make a great story on the spot! Maybe if she can add in a few details... "That's right! Chat Noir-san jumped in right away once he realized that Marinette-chan was in trouble, but it turned out to be more focused on her talents as a fashion designer than true love. But he's been nothing but a gentleman to her whenever he meets up with her!"

Hopefully that story can be good for both of her friends, to downlplay their relationship but help Chat Noir feel at ease!

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Secretly, Marinette had been hoping - just a bit - that Chat Noir would be blunt about them only being seen as together due to that most recent of Akuma. Instead...

Instead he brings up an older adventure, one Marinette had nearly forgotten. She turns to Chat, mouth opening slightly in protest, as he describes that 'first' encounter in a fashion that has both Sabine's and Tom's eyes practically sparkling.

Then Niramo jumps in, describing the stray cat as a gentleman, and the sparkling intensifies. Distantly, wedding bells begin to ring, echoing across time into Marinette's hearing.

There's only one thing for it. Desperately try to clarify and de-escalate.

"I mean - it wasn't that dangerous! Sure it was the fashion thing, or maybe me stepping in due to some bullies in class, but Chat was just being a bit overprotective! He really didn't have to keep that close a watch on me then - or that other time, or the other night - it was more than he really had to do! I guess that...might be gentlemanly?" A thoughtful look crosses her face.

A pointed look glints into Sabine's eyes as Marinette's attempt utterly fails.

Tom - towering, broad, cheerful Tom Dupain - bellows in laughter. "Quite the adventure! Maybe not quite the same as how Sabine and I met, but quite the story all the same!" He finishes a little tartlet, a thoughtful expression crossing his face at Niramo's explanation. "So what is it you found interesting about Marinette, young man? The fashion interest, like Umokeshi-chan here suggested, or something else entirely?"

Marinette nearly chokes on her sip of water. "Papa! You can't just ask-" She's left in a bit of a coughing fit, though - perhaps someone should help?"

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Chat blushes slightly as Mariette gives her side of the story. He wasn't being that over protective was he? However, then Tom asks a question he had never expected to answer. "What do I like about Marinette?"

He paused in thought, but then found several suggestions entered his mind. "Well, she's a hard worker, and she's so creative. Some of her designs just amaze me, and would put some professional fashion designers to shame." He then started to count on his fingers. "She's also kind, loyal and very brave. I swear she had a glare that could scare off any akuma..."

He froze as it suddenly dawned on him that these were answers that he would be giving as Adiren, not as Chat Noir. Correcting his error, he cough into his hang and then laid back in the chair. "She is just paws-itively charming! And is just Purrrfect in everything."

He gave a forced smile and pray no one caught on to his earlier mistake.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Niramo's attempt to defuse the situation while helping Chat Noir was more akin to adding bottles of gasoline to a massive bonfire in an attempt to put it out. Was Marinette cursed somehow when she was a child to live an interesting life? 'There's no way this could get any worse!'...and Niramo mentally slaps herself for thinking that. Now things are going to escalate even more!

Why did two of her best friends need to have such complex lives?!

Forcing water through a tight throat, Niramo tries to shoot Chat Noir a discreet look to find some way to make Tom and Sabine somehow lose interest. She may have never gone on a date before, but Marinette's parents were looking like they have already found the ideal man for their daughter! No one needs to be married before they get into high school!

Unfortunately, Chat Noir is rather truthful about his answers...and gives away answers that Chat Noir shouldn't know. Using the pretense of wiping her lips with a napkin to facepalm at the disaster before her, Niramo takes a calming breath. Her thoughts are racing faster than Plagg's mouth as she tries to come up some way to discredit Chat Noir, when he fortunately does it for her!

Latching onto that single thread, Niramo tugs on before that wedding kimono can be woven onto her friend. "As kind as Chat Noir is, he has absolutely the worst humor in the world. Telling puns is a good way to atagonize an Akuma, but Marinette-chan absolutely hates that kind of humor. It would never work out, and maybe they should just be friends?"

Each word is a punch in the stomach for this pun lover, but for the sake of friendship, no sacrifice is too great!

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

As Chat Noir lists positive trait after positive trait, Marinette's face turns redder and redder. It hits the point that she could practically be wearing a red mask, and once again she tries - and fails - to hide behind her water.

There's a stray thought in the back of her mind, trying to recall when she showed Chat Noir her fashion designs...but surely she must have, right?

Fortunately for Plagg's secret-keeping skills, the pun utterly derails her train of thought. All she can do is groan, bury her face in her arms, and mutter aloud. "As terrible as ever, kitten..."

Marinette's mother's ears practically perk up at that little nickname - but mercifully, the oven timer dings. There's a brief exchange of glances between her and Tom, before she gets up with a sigh. "I'd better get the main course finished; I'm sure Tom can entertain our guests for a few minutes. Right, Marinette dear?"

There's another groan from Buried In Arms Town.

Tom harrumphs, frowning for a moment at Niramo's little break-up suggestion...but then a broad smile returns to his face, lifting even his bushy moustache. "Oh, I'm sure that kind of mismatch could work out. Sabine and I are both bakers, but she usually avoids that kind of joke...whereas I'm always ready to rise to the occasion. It might be a bit of a pain - " Pronounced as the French word for bread. " - but I'd wager they'll just knead to kiss and bake up." His eyes glint, practically challenging Chat to pun right back.

Marinette's groans of agony just get all the louder.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Niramo's comments about him and Marinette causes him to pause. Did he go too far? He clears his throat and flicks his hair back. "Frankly, if we decide to be just friends I would forever be grateful to have that. She is someone you would want to have in your corner when enemies have their claws out."

Then Tom's makes his puns and Chat's ears both perk up as if he'd been given a large portion of cream. "Oh, those were simply delicious puns," he commented with a purr and waved a hand. "I do promise that I would never dessert Marinette if she was ever in a jam." He continued to grin. "As long as I am alive and cake-ing, I will never hesitate to lend her a paw." He snickered and hoped Tom appreciate the puns.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Things are only getting worse, and it's clear how. Not only did Chat Noir accidently slipped up and say something only Adrien and herself would know, but Marinette, poor and doomed Marinette, might have caught onto that slip of the tongue! Maybe for the first time ever, this might be a situation where Lucky Charm will not enough to win the day.

And Niramo winces noticeably when she hears Ladybug's pet name for her partner in crime coming from Marinette's lips. If this night continues like it has been going, the final secret left between this trio might be revealed. Think, Niramo, think!

Sadly, it's always Ladybug who can make the most ingenious of plans when it's down to the wire.

It's hard to eat Sabine's wonderous cooking with those nerves of hers getting worse by the minute, but what can Niramo do to fix this! Sabine and Tom approve of Marinette 'dating' a superhero, there's already love between the two even if they don't seem to know about it, and Tom loves puns as well! Glancing over at Marinette, the Juuban girl makes a mental note that Marinette doesn't owe her anything for this disaster. The game of love might have been stacked against Ladybug from the start.

Despite her earlier comments and the butterflies fluttering in her stomach, Niramo giggles at Chat Noir's latest masterpiece. "Chat...please, dessert it hurt to say such terrible jokes? I see you are trying to frost-er a relationship with Tom-san, but you batter stop."

Unfortunately for Marinette, Niramo has finally cracked under the pressure. If you can't beat them, you might as well join them.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The puns from her father are terrible, Chat responding in kind just makes things worse, and Niramo joining in is just the icing on the disaster cake that is this evening.

And yet, Marinette has to wonder. The goal of the night was...supposedly to try to clear the air regarding the rumours about her and Chat Noir. If that was the aim, it's been an absolute disaster...but honestly, Chat doesn't seem to be trying all that hard to dissuade her parents. She didn't even know he'd wanted to be friends with her civilian identity...

(Niramo's attempts to help seem to have just made things worse, and for that particular betrayal there will one day be a reckoning.)

Marinette slowly lifts her head, eyes on Chat as he engages in a pun war against her father, a thoughtful frown pursing her lips. Unseen at the kitchen door, Sabine watches her in turn, carefully judging the thoughts that might run through a teen's head...

Finally, Marinette sighs. Loudly. Her parents seem to approve anyway, and it's not like dating's an eternal bond to be cemented in the stone of the cosmos, so... "Why not," she mutters.

And then, louder, "I think it's time that little pun war started icing over." She smirks, briefly, and Niramo might recognize it as a Ladybug special. "Papa, Maman - I'm glad you two like Chat, but it'd be nice if we had some space too. We're just teenagers in middle school, and it's way too early for you to start ringing wedding bells before we've even had the chance to go on some proper dates - so don't get overly enthusiastic. Please?"

She smiles, as best she can, in the hopes that the rest of the dinner can go peacefully.

<Pose Tracker> Chat Noir [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

For a second, Chat begins to wonder if he had cross the line with Marinette but then Niramo joins in and can't help but grin. "Oh but my puns are just the icing on the cake." Then Marniette speaks and he blinks. Did...did Marinette just suggest they go out..like for real? Real? he is stunned, but finds himself smiling. "That is a sweet endeavor I will gladly take you up on, my lady," he said with a bow and he took her hand hand kissed it. "Being with you will be a real treat for me." He gives Niramo a thumbs up. It wasn't quite the night he planned, but this was something he was willing to at least explore.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Only after did she start into the pun war did Niramo realize that maybe she shouldn't have slipped into a bit of Sourisi's banter with Chat Noir. Tom joining in only encouraged her all the more, and it just slipped out. She wasn't even looking at Marinette, but the short girl is almost certain her friend would be staring daggers at her if could regain her composure.

Niramo would love to blame Adrien for teaching her how to pun, but that would be an outright lie. He only enabled her.

Marinette's sigh cuts through the tension like a hot knife, but what she said was not what she had expected. Wait, was she...actually willing to go along with this? To date Chat Noir for real?! If Marinette had suddendly grown a second head that was her evil doppelganger and revealed that her evil conjoined twin was Hawk Moth all along, Niramo would not be more surprised. But she was willing to give it a chance...maybe there was hope for Chat and Ladybug's bizarre love life after all. "I...yes, Marinette-chan wanted my support, to try to have you two slow down just a little because she couldn't find the words, but...i'm glad you can say it yourself."

Even though the butterflies in Niramo's stomach are finally settling down, why is there an building sense of doom in the air?...no, it must just be the nerves.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The next day, Marinette's voice can be heard from the doorway of the bakery. "No, you two can't put up a banner advertising that Chat Noir's girlfriend lives here!"

2018-12-31 - TIMELINE 1: Professor Sourisi's First Lesson! Ice Cream Makes Friendship!

2019-01-01T15:23:48Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: TIMELINE 1: Professor Sourisi's First Lesson! Ice Cream Makes Friendship!'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Sourisi plans a meeting with the newest Miraculous User in Tokyo, hoping to learn more about Serpentina Ruse. What follows is a question and answer session that reveals there might be trouble on the horizon.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Sensouji Temple
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
12/31/2018 - 08/08/2014
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Sensouji Temple +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The oldest and most famous temple Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Sensouji is
approached through several blocks of paper-lanterned stalls. The scent of
fried foods and the traditional clothing worn by the vendors gives the
market a festive feel, and on pleasant days the market street leading up to
the temple is jammed with people looking at dubiously handmade crafts,
traditional Japanese clothing, and various religious trinkets.

The temple itself is approached through a massive orange-red gate, which
looks as though it was orphaned from a great castle, and sports a pair of
hemp sandals large enough to hold a truck instead of a foot. The color
scheme repeats inside, where a heaped pagoda flanks the main hall, their
heavy pine-blue rooves contrasting with livid orange pillars to give a
stately, otherworldly impression. The grounds are extensive, with wide open
paved areas, and enough nooks and crannies to find some quiet even on busy
days. Multiple smaller halls are devoted to various deities, and many small
shrines and statues rest within a calm garden. There is even a separate
Shinto shrine adjacent to the temple, also named Sensouji.

As with a Shinto shrine, visitors are expected to wash their hands and mouth
from a font before entering, and can purchase charms and fortunes within for
a small donation.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The night goes on for Sourisi!

After a meeting with la Sirene that turned out to be more yet less than she had expected, Sourisi
hurried back home to drop off her shopping. Thanks to the ice she got from the ice cream salesman
when she told her dilemma, those fresh groceries finally were finally stored safely where they
belonged. Now her mom won't get mad at her for wasting food and money. Now to meet up with the new
Miraculous user!

It seems weird that Sourisi will no longer be the new girl on the block...

Hopefully Serpentina wouldn't have too much trouble finding the spot Sourisi had told her to meet up
at, behind a billboard for a new idol group that could be seen clearly from the temple. The sun was
just now setting over the horizon now, the deepening purple of the sky contrasting with the neon
lights of Tokyo.

Sourisi even brought a little gift offering, a small single serving of chocolate fudge ice cream for
both of them each and still covered with frost. Compared to the confident girl that had pounced on a
snow lion to attack with her tonfa, Sourisi was pacing back and forth from nervousness. "I hope
she's doing okay...I know I was really overwhelmed during my big fight..."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

The first non-Akumatized villain fight still weighs on Serpentina's mind. It felt terrible, yet
exciting, yet almost sad, yet... so much to figure out. So many conflicting emotions.

It wasn't like she was that used to fighting Akumatized villans either. She was a newbie, a rank
novice. That's why when given the opportunity to meet with a more experienced superhero, she jumped
at the chance! The snake-themed heroine dashes to the shrine at snake-speed - or something like that.

The last few meters to the billboard meeting spot, Serpentina 'confidently' strides, hiding her
nervousness with a smile. "Hey, mouse girl! So good to see you again! Sourichi was it? Sorry, still
reeling a bit from the fight, hard to remember names when you were in an adrenaline haze, right?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's been almost a full crazy year of school with evil teachers, magical fights all across Tokyo and
the world, and the occasional white lie to family and friends. But in all that time, the only
complete newbie that has arrived on the field was a transfer student from America and his family of
space aliens. The fact that there's now another person who's new really hammers it in that Sourisi
is considered to be an experienced magical girl now!

Is it strange that she doesn't consider herself a seasoned defender of Tokyo yet?

Seeing the snake-themed magical girl striding up, Sourisi mentally sighs in relief before waving at
her in greetings! "Hey miss snake! I...was a little worried I chose a bad spot, to be honest, but
i'm glad you found your way here!" Hopping on top of the backing of the billboard, Sourisi takes a
seat while making sure to be careful with her tail. "And close! It's Sourisi, actually. It's like
the French word for mouse."

Serpentina doesn't need to know that Sourisi was just a really bad butchering of French and that she
stuck with it afterwards.

Offering the small carton of ice cream to Serpentina Ruse, Sourisi tries to do her best impression
of Mami Tomoe. Back straight, elegant and friendly...or so she hopes. "I'm not sure how long you
been using your Miraculous, so I just wanted to see if you had any questions I could answer!"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Serpentina hops up onto the billboard with Sourisi, opening her parasol to get a slght bit of boost
and a gentle hovering down. Could she have jumped up normally? Was that necessary or was she showing
off? Only she knew.

She sits down next to Sourisi and examines her closely. "No... this isn't a bad spot at all. I
think that... oh, sorry." She averts her eyes for a second, then looks back. I haven't seen any...
superheroes of my type. Examining your costume. Not eyeing you up as prey, as much as that self-twin
was insinuating. Especially if that ice cream is for me!"

Serpentina takes the frozen treat and continues. "Sorry, Sourisi, about the name mixup, I'll take
your word for it on the French as my... French tutor can't really help me at the moment. And thank
you for the ice cream."

Serpetina giggles at a couple of random thoughts. "Though... it is kind of funny, a snake hanging
out with a mouse. I love your costume, by the way. Even if you don't have cute mousey ears."

She then gives her best blank stare when Sourisi mentions the Miraculous. "Pretend I'm a complete
idiot with no knowledge of anything, and explain what a Miraculous is."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Eyes widen slightly in surprise as Serpentina makes the ascent using her parasol, showing it's much
more than blocking sunlight...and piercing right through ice panthers. Yo-yos, staffs and now
parasols can be used to traverse the landscape, but tonfas? Maybe if there's a zip line nearby...

Serpentina's curiousity is clear to Sourisi as she is looked over, and it takes a moment for the
ninja mouse to realize what the other Miraculous user was talking about. "Oh, you mean the lady with
the swan? I think she was just being a little weird about those comments. There's no way you can eat
me!"

Sourisi may have missed Cassandra's talk about the mouse being the right type for a snake, it seems.
..

A nod in agreement is given before Sourisi removes the lid from her own ice cream lid and uses a
small spoon to scoop the frozen treat. "I...have a friend or two that's been helping me with my
French when I realized I might need to say more than my name. They're both patient with me, but...
well, it's still better than English!"

Wait, ears? Sourisi quickly feels around her head with a free hand and sighs in relief without
seeing those menaces. "Ooh, whew! I did had them for a few weeks, but I was able to convince my...
friend that I didn't exactly need fake ears. I did get told I was cute, but...I don't know, it
didn't really seemed to fit me. And you're quite stylish yourself, if I may say so!"

A scoop of chocolately perfection greets Sourisi's taste buds finally, humming in delight as she
finally gets a little relief from the heat. The question does seem a little strange, but maybe
Serpentina Ruse just wants to make sure she was getting the same information? "You're not an idiot,
but...uh, right!" Remember, Sourisi, act like Mami...

Straighting up again and squaring her shoulders, Sourisi motions towards the clear sky above with
her spoon. "The Miraculous, like my friend told me, is a magical piece of jewelry that has a spirit
bound to it, which lets them interact with humans. They're really old...I think something about
being around when the Pyramids in Egypt were being made?" Ooooh, less speaking like you're asking a
question! "That's besides the point. The spirits are essentially the embodiment of a major concept
of our world, like the spirit bonded with my Miraculous is the embodiment of substitution, and when
a human uses a Miraculous, they and the spirit work together. Does that make sense so far?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

'That lady with the swan' didn't mean that literally, Serpentina was sure. However, it did make her
teasing a little harder that Sourisi didn't hear all of the conversation. She frowns slightly, then
shrugs. "Yeah, she was definitely weird. Her over-the-top violent nature, her being-two-people at
once, her shipping you with someone..." The frown shifts into a bit of a grin. "She was just strange
in general."

She scoops some of the tasty frozen delight from container to spoon to mouth, listening and waiting
for a response. However, the conversation must continue. "Yeah, French is a bit tricky, but English..
. all the rules are lies!" More talk about that friend goes on about Sourisi's ears. "Same friend?
Perhaps you're friends with a genius. You're cute without them anyways. I'm a little jealous. I do
like this costume myself though, so we're good there."

Around when the pyramids are made... Ressi said something about that, didn't she? Confirmation was
key. Either both of them are telling the same lies, or - and this is much more likely - there is
some truth there. Good to know. "I... think I get it. Spirits are a thing. So are giant monsters
that eat cold and wants. And Miraculous have spirits in them that you fuse together with. I bet you
hope there's no cat one~"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Sourisi nods her head in agreement with every part of Serpentina's evaulation of the swan lady,
silenced with a mouthful of fudge. "Hmmm, that's right. But she's not the strangest one. There's
this-" Wait a minute...what was that last part?

Sourisi's cheeks glow a noticable pink despite the light of the setting sun, and her fragile facade
of being a magical girl mentor is shattered. "Wait wait wait, she shipped me with someone? Who, when-
" Before she could do a decent impression of a Marinette-brand freakout, Sourisi's brain thankfully
catches up with the mouse-eating comment from before, and she giggles from embarrasment. "O-ooooh,
so that's what she meant by that! Though why was she shipping us during a fight is bizarre..."

What's really bizarre is the fact that -Sourisi- is the one being shipped for once. Ladybug and Chat
Noir usually gets the love boat treatment!

Sticking out her tongue out over all of English's confusing rules, Sourisi can almost feel Takk
getting a swollen head from the compliment. For a Kwami that acts like he doesn't have emotions, he
use enjoys pride. "Ooh, don't compliment him. I'm sure i'll never heard of it once he hears that one.
" But...cute? Sourisi doesn't have the frills and lace that most of the feminine magical defenders
tend to have, and she has often wondered if she sticks out like a sore thumb because of that. It's
like dressing up as a ninja to a pirate convention! "I'm glad to hear you like it, and it's pretty
cute as well! Your friend knows more about fashion than I do."

If only Serpentina only knew on all the crazy monsters that appear almost every day in Tokyo.
"There's stranger ones, trust me. My first time I transformed, there was this giant robot panda car
that flew using its' steering wheel."

About to take another mouthful of her melting dessert, Sourisi almost sends her spoon flying as she
bursts into laugher. "Funny that you should mention that! There's two other Miraculous users around
in Tokyo, and they have the strongest Miraculous from what my friend told me. There's Ladybug, you
can't miss her polka-dotted uniform and yo-yo, and then there's Chat Noir, or Black Cat in French.
He's taught me a lot about making puns, and is one of the few magical boys in Tokyo." It honestly
sounds like Chat Noir can be a troublemaker sometime.

And that brings to mind another question. Chomping down on her ice cream before the spoonload tries
to escape again, she looks at the snake princess's eyes directly. "Well, there is another one, but...
we're all trying to stop him. Have you been told about Hawk Moth?"

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Serpentina's grin grows as Sourisi catches up to the teasing conversation. "Heheheh, sorry, I just
had to tease you, but yeah she shipped us. She thought a mouse and a snake go together or something.
I told you she's a bit odd, and I only met her once!"

The rules of English - or lack thereof - seems to bring the Miraculous Users closer together.
Serpentina nods at the prideful friend comments. "I can understand. My friend would be quite similar
I think." Same goes about the fashion comments. "Well, it was a team effort, so thank you."

Panda car, what? "What is going on? Things... my life has turned upside down sense... whatever this
is.. started. But I'm glad I'm not the only one. Superpowered weirdo-fighter, that is." Ladybug and
Chat Noir sound like others she should meet, but...

"Hawk Moth? Who is that?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Oooh, at least Serpentina is just having fun with the pairing! Besides, they only just met-no, bad
thoughts! "It's fine. It makes sense in a funny way, but i'm glad I didn't hear that earlier. I
might have been really thrown off guard earlier. There's all sorts of people in Tokyo, and it takes
many to help keep others safe."

That look of confusion along with the floundering as the snake Miraculous user tries to get her own
balance is answer enough on just how new this is to her. "It's quite a lot to take in, and never act
like you seen everything, because there's always going to be that one crazy monster or evil witch
who surprises you." Superpowered weirdo-fighter, though?...Sourisi can see the truth in that.
"There's strange ones, trust me. There's people like me or Steven-kun, the boy with the pink shield
you may have seen, who run in and fight up close, or actual witches riding on brooms or the Pretty
Soldier Sailor Senshi. We're all a crazy, mix-matched group here, but I wouldn't have it any other
way." There's the occasional fit and argument, but everyone generally gets along well. Tokyo
couldn't be in better hands.

...maybe it's a good thing that Sourisi bothered to ask that question. Better she learns now than in
the middle of a fight! "Hawk Moth is also a Miraculous User, but he's been using his Miraculous for
evil. No one has actually seen him or know where he's hiding, so it's rather annoying...and then
there's the way he attacks."

Fishing out the last bits and slush of her ice cream, Sourisi finishes off her just desserts for
giving justice in the name of desserts. If only it wasn't gone... "Well, i'm not sure how he does it,
but i'm thinking his Miraculous grants him the ability to give super powers to normal people, sort
of like what a Miraculous does. He's sort of like a general, if you want to have an idea." Sourisi
glances out towards the street, looking at the people on the street. "Thing is, he possesses the
people he grants this power to, somehow knowing to find them when they're feeling dispair over bad
luck in their life. They become Akumaizied Villains, and not just monsters like the Orphan we fought
earlier. They're still a person, and the only way to save them is for us to break the source of
their power and for Ladybug to cleanse the Akuma inside it..."

Setting aside her empty cup, Sourisi attempts to make a butterfly motion using her hands. It...does
sort of look like one, if you were to squint at it. "Ooh, and an Akuma is a purple butterfly when
it's evil, and white when it's been cleansed and no longer going to possess people."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Serpentina is just LOVING Sourisi's reactions. Teasing but in a fun way for all parties - now that
is great! "I'm glad I'm not bothering you with this," she admits, "I do want to be good friends with
you, and I was afraid for a second that you would take this the wrong way and think I'm trying to
hurt you. And wow, seeing you a deep crimson and stammering in the middle of a battle would not have
been great."

What's left of the snake-girl's ice cream was mostly puddly. She sets it aside. "There were a lot
of good people in that fight... with all this new crazy stuff, at least I don't have to face it
alone." She listens intently on the description of Hawk Moth, but goes pale at the mention of the
purple butterflies. "O-oh... I.... I see.... then..." She sighs and looks down.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Teasing like this is proof that Serpentina is going to do great with the others. Hopefully poor
Ladybug won't be too bothered over the teasing, but at least she wasn't making puns of her own.
Ladybug might just go into hiding if that ever happened! "Ooh, no you're fine! It's all just fun and
games, and i'll have to get back at you later, don't you worry about that. I was already red in the
face from the heat, I didn't need more to be added onto it!"

Serpentina feared that she was going to be alone in this? The thought has Sourisi shuddering at the
thought. "Not at all. No one should be alone, and i'm always up for answering any questions. And if
I don't have the answers, we can find it together. That's what friends do, right?"

The mention of purple butterflies is a very unique reaction...and Sourisi starts to worry a little
for her new friend. "Serpentina-san, did...something happen involving purple butterflies? I don't
want to pry, but...if it's something that involves Hawk Moth, I want to help!" Sourisi leans in
close, not quite touching Serpentina, but an invasion of privacy. "Even if it's not, I can always
listen and offer help if you want..."

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Something suddenly occurred to her when talking about friends and allies. "Wait... Chat Noir... so
you're saying you're a mouse. And one of your friends is a cat, and now you've met a snake? Must be
scary for you. Hehe, but seriously. I'm glad to know I have peers in this. Possibly... friends? It...
means a lot that you're willing to make the effort."

Friendship is good and all, but... should she really tell her about the purple butterflies? Could
she trust Sourisi? In the ends, she doesn't see how it could hurt. "I... messed up. I've defeated
two akumatized villains. I say defeated, but... now that you tell me how this works... I only made a
mess of things. The... purple butterfly things got away. I... I assume they were stopped properly,
all things considered... but I thought I helped and just made things worse, didn't I...?"

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Sourisi gives off a sheepish look and shrugs her shoulders in defeat. Making friends with your
'natural' predators? That works for her pretty well! "What can I say, Serpentina-san? I might just
be that charming when it comes to making friends!" Serpentina does look a little tense, but...maybe
she just needs to relax. It reminds Sourisi of Wakatsuki and how shy she was when they first met.
She has come far in such a short time...

It's a real surprise to learn that there were a few Akuma Villains that didn't cause major trouble,
but there were always those smaller fights that never seem to gain that much attention. But if
Ladybug wasn't there to cleanse the Akuma...that could be trouble. But not as bad as the new
Miraculous user seems to believe. "No, no, not at all. They're fine and all, but if the Akuma were
not cleansed...well, uh, they might get possessed again in the future if they fall into despair
again. But the good news is you might remember who was possessed and have an idea of what kind of
special powers they have, and that's a good thing!"

Giving Serpentina a smile in an attempt to help relax her, Sourisi grabs a notepad and a pen from
where she had set it to the side. Since she never could get a pouch for her phone, she'll just have
to write her phone number down the long way. "Me and the others understand if you want to keep your
secret identity...well, secret, so here's what we can do. I'm going to give you my cell number, so
text me later and i'll set up a meeting with the others and we can meet up while transformed. We'll
figure out a plan to track down those Akuma and keep those people safe as well."

Ripping the small piece of paper out, she offers it to Serpentina with a smile. "Don't worry, you
didn't make things worse and you did help. It's just Ladybug is the only one who can stop the Akuma
for good. Without her, Chat Noir and I can only stop them for a little while."

It's a shame that only Ladybug can cleanse the Akuma, but Sourisi still has her part to play.

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Serpentina giggles at Sourisi's 'that charming' comment. "Maybe you are! I certainly want to be
friends with you. Maybe that's a secret power of yours? Super-likeability?" She seems a little less
stressed in the more relaxed atmosphere, until the butterfly thing, although Sourisi helps with that
too. "Hmm... yes... you could be right."

A... phone number? Serpentina is going to need a new phone! How is she going to convince her mom?
'No mom, that is my civilian phone. I need a cell for my secret super hero identity I never told you
about also I am a superhero' does not sound feasible. Then again, she could figure SOMETHING out.
"Thank you. I will definitely text you right away."

So... Ladybug is the key to all of this, it seems. Serpentina might have to do some research on her
. Or... she could just ask her. Yeah... that would probably be better. Or both. Either way...

"It is getting late, but I look forward to seeing you again." It is a shame they cannot hang out
more, but civilian life calls. And now superhero life texts.

2018-12-30 - TIMELINE 1: A Summary On Cow & Goat Milk

2019-01-01T15:09:10Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''TIMELINE 1: A Summary On Cow & Goat Milk'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''La Sirene requests more information from Sourisi about kosher ice cream, and she delivers! But it isn't all about staying cool in the summer heat.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Nori Ankou]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Sensouji Temple
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
12/30/2018 - 08/08/2014
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Sensouji Temple +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The oldest and most famous temple Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Sensouji is
approached through several blocks of paper-lanterned stalls. The scent of
fried foods and the traditional clothing worn by the vendors gives the
market a festive feel, and on pleasant days the market street leading up to
the temple is jammed with people looking at dubiously handmade crafts,
traditional Japanese clothing, and various religious trinkets.

The temple itself is approached through a massive orange-red gate, which
looks as though it was orphaned from a great castle, and sports a pair of
hemp sandals large enough to hold a truck instead of a foot. The color
scheme repeats inside, where a heaped pagoda flanks the main hall, their
heavy pine-blue rooves contrasting with livid orange pillars to give a
stately, otherworldly impression. The grounds are extensive, with wide open
paved areas, and enough nooks and crannies to find some quiet even on busy
days. Multiple smaller halls are devoted to various deities, and many small
shrines and statues rest within a calm garden. There is even a separate
Shinto shrine adjacent to the temple, also named Sensouji.

As with a Shinto shrine, visitors are expected to wash their hands and mouth
from a font before entering, and can purchase charms and fortunes within for
a small donation.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

All may be relatively back to normal for the Sensouji Temple, but there's still quite a lot of time
left in the day before Sourisi can call it good. Ice cream is safe from the all-devouring maw of the
Not-Nice Panther (despite the sembalance to a snow lion, she still insists on calling it by that
name), but it seems like La Sirene has something serious she wanted to discuss.

Borrowing just a bit of shaved ice to help keep the groceries her mom requested cool, Sourisi sets
the buldging bags on the roof next to a few pipes and sits down in the shade they provide. Magical
outfit or no, the setting sun was still baking Tokyo and this was a mouse who didn't wished to be
fried. At least there was a nice breeze this high up!

The air and a quicker route home is just a few of the reasons why Niramo wants to abuse her
Miraculous to hop along the rooftops, but Takk had but his tiny foot down on that plan. He may be
tiny, but the mouse Kwami can rant for -hours- if he's in the right mood.

"Is everything okay, La Sirene-san? I honestly thought things went well enough against the Orphan!"
It honestly did go well enough, but Sourisi knew it could have gone a bit better. She didn't even
see the new Miraculous user until near the end, and that was just embarrasing. Hopefully she didn't
mess up on something important. Wait, was there more of a difference between Akuma Villains and
Orphans and this was a lecture?!

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

La Sirene has not leapt, she has drifted. Of some note before she began to travel with Sourisi was
the introduction of Batiste the Otter, a small and friendly fellow who seems happy to ride shotgun
on la Sirene's magical shoulder.

As she drifts, la Sirene has to turn her head to put her focus back on Sourisi. Blinking slowly, she
says; "Hm? Oh!"

La Sirene clasps her hands together with a tiny flash of blue. "I was a little dismayed at that girl
with the swan, but yes, you're right. I was just thinking about what you had mentioned."

"I told you I can't handle a lot of milk..." And indeed, la Sirene's L.V. bag, wherein an otter
-shaped space is now packed with presents, contains mostly fruit ices. Weird, how she has that
custom handbag that's so similar to the one -- but never mind. "But you said there was kosher ice
cream, and that it was different? I don't know what that is."

"It's... religious!" says Batiste, hopefully. He is college educated, but only on the undergraduate
level.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Climbing and bounding is something that Sourisi is used to be now, lacking the means of flight like
La Sirene has. At least magical flight still appears to be the minority instead of the majority like
she feared long ago. It takes considerable effort for Sourisi not to pick up Batiste and hug him
tightly, his natural adorableness making it hard for her to go with her first instinct. She did say
that he was very charming!

Takk is, meanwhile, dealing with the troublesome emotion known as jealousy. He's not jealous of a
otter, not in the slightest.

Thankfully for Sourisi, a lecture seems to be the futhest thing from La Sirene's mind, and it takes
the mouse ninja to backtrack for a moment. "Huh? Oh, right, you did mention something like that, and
then I told you about the kosher ice cream!" She starts to giggle when Batiste hits close to the
mark and gives him points for effort. "You're close, Batiste-san! I'm not sure from what religion
it's from myself, but it basically amounts to food usually doesn't come from diseased animals here.
I try to keep track of what someone can have if they have dietry plans."

Cupping her chin in a free hand, Sourisi motions with a free hand towards where the Crown Arcade
should be...hopefully. Rooftops can change your perspective if you wern't careful! "The Crown Arcade
usually avoids that by serving a few milk-free ice creams on their menu, but not too many people I
know get it because they think it tastes terrible. It's...a little different, but you still get the
same experience. There's ones with peanut butter and chocolate, or tastes like bubble gum. If you
want, I can look around at some of the shops later and find out if there's a bigger selection of ice
cream somewhere...or maybe other kinds of desserts too!"

If it also means that she gets to taste test some more ice cream, it does seem like a win-win to
Sourisi as well!

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Batiste is extremely huggable. He's like a water cat with a big chubby tail. Chubby tail!! Precious
paws!! Cute little eyes!!

"Yes!" la Sirene says, clenching a fist in dramatic acknowledgement. "I want to know everything
about it!" Then she leans forwards as Sourisi explains, nodding along occasionally. Her lips purse
for a moment.

"Does that mean that regular milk can come from animals with diseases?" la Sirene asks. She frowns
and looks at Batiste.

Batiste looks back at her, and then back towards Sourisi. The otter explains, "Where we are from the
milk all comes from goats, not from cows."

"So it's um - what's the word. I know it tastes different, and the cheese is different," la Sirene
muses as she drifts a little closer to Sourisi. "Do you know what I mean?"

"I hope we aren't making assumptions," Batiste says, apologetically. He clasps his little paws.

"You must be a big fan of the Crown Arcade... I wish I had a favorite place like that," la Sirene
says, more dreamily. "And I would adore that, but don't put yourself out if it would be difficult
for you to do. I can look for such things myself if they occur to me."

La Sirene's head lolls slightly and she smiles at Sourisi. "My apologies. I always get rather
wistful, this time of day... I'm much more vivacious at night."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's rare for someone to be so interested when it comes to cooking explanations, even if it's an
imperfect one. The last time she tried to explain to Marinette what the difference between sifted
and unsifted flour, her eyes became glazed halfway through. Maybe it's how Takk feels at times?

"It can, but if it's a small infection or disease, it's usually taken care of during the
pasteurization process. It helps kills a lot of the germs, but some people are understandably still
picky about it. And some foods can be bought without it done, since it can taste completely
different as well!" A quick peek into her grocery bags show they're fine thanks to the shade. The
ice cream salesman was a lifesaver!

Milk from a goat? That's certainly different, and might explain why La Sirene can't have milk from
cows. Maybe her body couldn't handle the difference? "Goat milk? I never tried it before, but I
heard it's really strong. And I think so. They're alike yet completely different at the same time,
right?" Oooh, seeing Batiste almost bowing like that makes Sourisi wish she could take a picture of
him. He shouldn't be that cute! "You're both fine, Batiste-san! I just hope i'm explaining things
well enough!"

That last comment about the Crown Arcade has the mouse ninja rubbing the back of her neck, with her
cheeks turning pink. She was talking about it quite a bit, wasn't she? "Aah! W-well, I often don't
have a lot to do outside of school and fighting evildoers, so I go to arcades to pass the time. It's.
..one of the arcades I end up going to the most, though."

A slight frown appears on her lips for a moment when le Sirene mentions she wishes she had a
favorite spot. Takk might throw a fit, but...well, he did seem to be coming around with each person
she reveals herself to. "Well, it can be if you want it too. I-I mean, I know we all have our secret
identities and everything, but...I wouldn't mind taking you there sometime as a friend! And...
vivacious?" Sourisi stumbles over the word for a moment before realization dawns on her. "Oh, right!
I'm a night owl myself. I always seem to get all of my energy after the sun sets and you can relax."

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"The what?" La Sirene asks.

"Is that the thing where they heat it up and cook it just the tiniest bit to kill off the germs?"
Batiste asks. (To la Sirene, he explains, "Walk-on-glass process." He does not actually explain
anything with this.)

"I don't think it's strong!" la Sirene protests, though without great vigor. "But it is certainly
different... it tastes... mm, it's strong ER, I suppose I will accept that." And then she listens...
and she asks, "What do you hope to do, when you are older?"

She awaits an answer quietly.

But then she asks, "I have never really gone to a game center. Is it very hard? I don't want to look
foolish in front of everyone... I just did not have many games growing up, and even now I only have
the jewel one on my phone."

With a sense of having a confession, la Sirene adds, "I suppose that sounds strange. I am not... I
was not /raised/ in the Sea of Tears, my distant home."

Batiste shifts on la Sirene's shoulder, sitting upright. He rests his paw on the side of her head,
which does look a little preposterous, but it is to steady himself... and perhaps to provide support.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Batiste seems to know exactly what pasteurization does, but his explanation to la Sirene leaves a
lot to be desired. "Wait, 'walk-on-glass' process? You walk on glass to clean food?" Was it a sheet
of glass or shards? Wouldn't that be painful?!

La Sirene's weakening protests has Sourisi laughing at the end of it all, unable to contain herself.
"So I guess it's true, then? I should try it myself someday, but...I might plug up my nose, to play
it safe if that's okay." Besides, trying out new foods is fun and like a miniature adventure. You
never quite know what to expect.

The next question fired her way brings the Miraculous user up short, not exactly that question in
the slightest. It's something she thinks about, with the far off prospect of high school still miles
away. Leaning her head against a pipe, Sourisi looks towards the darkening sky and takes a moment to
think. "Well...I don't exactly have anything specific planned, but I want to do something that make
others happy. Be it stopping evil like this all the time, bringing good food to others, or some
other way I haven't thought of...I just want to make the world a better place. There's too many bad
things that go on in the world, mundane or magical, so I just want to try to make it a little bit
better. As long as you can laugh, it's a good life, right?"

Maybe she has been thinking about it more than just a little.

Looking back at la Sirene, Sourisi's grateful for the change in subject. She tries not to think too
much about the serious parts of life. "Well...yes and no? There's all sorts of games at an arcade,
and while some are just games of luck, there's quite a few that can be difficult as well. An arcade
is made to make money no matter what, though! Keep that in mind!"

She wasn't raised in her home? And the Sea of Tears? Sourisi't never heard of a place like that
before, but just how Sirene talked about it, but it sounds like there's a lot that is unsaid and
felt at the same time. "I can't imagine what it would be like not to be raised in a place that you
know to be your home, but...isn't a home what you decide it is? A friend of mine grew up in France
for most of her life, but she considers Tokyo as a second home, even if it's not where she's raised.
" Hopefully she's not completely butchering this!

"I...moved several times in my life, and I still remember this study my father had back in my first
house. It was so quiet in there when it rained, and so peaceful. I haven't seen it in years, but I
still remember it clearly...u-uh, anyways! The point is maybe you're no longer there, but if you
have memories that you hold it close in your heart, it doesn't have to be so distant." Sourisi did
get a little sidetracked there with memories of that small house, but...it was still there, in a
sense.

She was no good at trying to be serious, was she?

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"No, no," Batiste says. "That was the name of our inventor of the idea! It was a little beforehand.
Really, it isn't important, though it did use a glass vessel..."

"Of course," la Sirene tells Sourisi with a sage nod. "Whatever you like. It's really got a good
flavor, though... rather tangy."

And then Sourisi speaks about her dreams and la Sirene's hands lace together before her as she
purses her lips in thought. It's not a frown, though it might seem near to one.

The explanation about food, helping people, making the world better... it strikes a chord in la
Sirene. Perhaps such feelings are not hers, not exactly, but she can feel them too, by analogy if by
absolutely nothing else. And is making the world happier all that much different from collecting the
sorrows of the world?

She listens.

"I," la Sirene says, "was born... in Sapporo. Did you go on the school trip...?" This alone was
sufficient to narrow the identity of la Sirene down to three people; only one at Ohtori, and two at
Infinity. "I did not leave much, save for family trips... except that I spent a summer away, in the
Sea of Tears, before I came to this place. To Tokyo."

La Sirene is quiet for a moment, and then says, "A study in your father's home... it sounds
wonderful."

"Places like that... memories... the Sea of Tears may sound ridiculous, but I can assure you that it
is a real place. But it is also a place where memories are built and where they can remain...
Sometimes people move their memories there, just to be safe."

After a moment, and a glance to Batiste, la Sirene says, "Can you tell me a day and a time when we
could meet? At that game center. I will come there, in my other form. I hope you'll be patient with
me as I learn the games... I do not know if I will like them. But, Sourisi, my dear -"

"I do like you."

("Does your friend really speak French? I would love to practice my French with her! They speak
French in the Sea of Tears," la Sirene says. Batiste, outside of la Sirene's hearing, later corrects
by saying they speak *a form* of French, perhaps because he senses a social disaster.)

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

So it wasn't actually her first home but the second that la Sirene misses? At least she wasn't
completely off, but it does make more sense now, where she considers her memories her home. "A place
where memories can be safe? It sounds like a great place, actually. I might have to look into it
more!" But with the name of the Sea of Tears...it also sounds a little dreary.

A full smile forms under Sourisi's masked eyes, and she gives a quick nod to her new friend. "Of
course! I'll be more than happy with teaching you the ropes on how to play at an arcade, and it'll
be my treat. I'll be in my other form too, um...look for a large leather bookbag and i'll wear
something green. Monday around lunch time then?"

Grabbing her chilled groceries and waving cheerfully at la Sirene (and a quick hug for Batiste!),
Sourisi starts leaping away towards her home. She needs to drop these off before meeting up with the
latest Miraculous user in Tokyo. And who said summer days were lazy?

2018-11-14 - TIMELINE 1: A Summary On Cow & Goat Milk

2019-01-01T15:07:58Z

Blasktin: Blanked the page

2018-11-14 - TIMELINE 1: A Summary On Cow & Goat Milk

2019-01-01T15:04:52Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''TIMELINE 1: A Summary On Cow & Goat Milk'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''La Sirene requests more information from Sourisi about kosher ice cream, and she delivers! But it isn't all about staying cool in the summer heat.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Nori Ankou]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Sensouji Temple
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
12/30/18 - 08/08/2014
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Sensouji Temple +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The oldest and most famous temple Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Sensouji is
approached through several blocks of paper-lanterned stalls. The scent of
fried foods and the traditional clothing worn by the vendors gives the
market a festive feel, and on pleasant days the market street leading up to
the temple is jammed with people looking at dubiously handmade crafts,
traditional Japanese clothing, and various religious trinkets.

The temple itself is approached through a massive orange-red gate, which
looks as though it was orphaned from a great castle, and sports a pair of
hemp sandals large enough to hold a truck instead of a foot. The color
scheme repeats inside, where a heaped pagoda flanks the main hall, their
heavy pine-blue rooves contrasting with livid orange pillars to give a
stately, otherworldly impression. The grounds are extensive, with wide open
paved areas, and enough nooks and crannies to find some quiet even on busy
days. Multiple smaller halls are devoted to various deities, and many small
shrines and statues rest within a calm garden. There is even a separate
Shinto shrine adjacent to the temple, also named Sensouji.

As with a Shinto shrine, visitors are expected to wash their hands and mouth
from a font before entering, and can purchase charms and fortunes within for
a small donation.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

All may be relatively back to normal for the Sensouji Temple, but there's still quite a lot of time
left in the day before Sourisi can call it good. Ice cream is safe from the all-devouring maw of the
Not-Nice Panther (despite the sembalance to a snow lion, she still insists on calling it by that
name), but it seems like La Sirene has something serious she wanted to discuss.

Borrowing just a bit of shaved ice to help keep the groceries her mom requested cool, Sourisi sets
the buldging bags on the roof next to a few pipes and sits down in the shade they provide. Magical
outfit or no, the setting sun was still baking Tokyo and this was a mouse who didn't wished to be
fried. At least there was a nice breeze this high up!

The air and a quicker route home is just a few of the reasons why Niramo wants to abuse her
Miraculous to hop along the rooftops, but Takk had but his tiny foot down on that plan. He may be
tiny, but the mouse Kwami can rant for -hours- if he's in the right mood.

"Is everything okay, La Sirene-san? I honestly thought things went well enough against the Orphan!"
It honestly did go well enough, but Sourisi knew it could have gone a bit better. She didn't even
see the new Miraculous user until near the end, and that was just embarrasing. Hopefully she didn't
mess up on something important. Wait, was there more of a difference between Akuma Villains and
Orphans and this was a lecture?!

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

La Sirene has not leapt, she has drifted. Of some note before she began to travel with Sourisi was
the introduction of Batiste the Otter, a small and friendly fellow who seems happy to ride shotgun
on la Sirene's magical shoulder.

As she drifts, la Sirene has to turn her head to put her focus back on Sourisi. Blinking slowly, she
says; "Hm? Oh!"

La Sirene clasps her hands together with a tiny flash of blue. "I was a little dismayed at that girl
with the swan, but yes, you're right. I was just thinking about what you had mentioned."

"I told you I can't handle a lot of milk..." And indeed, la Sirene's L.V. bag, wherein an otter
-shaped space is now packed with presents, contains mostly fruit ices. Weird, how she has that
custom handbag that's so similar to the one -- but never mind. "But you said there was kosher ice
cream, and that it was different? I don't know what that is."

"It's... religious!" says Batiste, hopefully. He is college educated, but only on the undergraduate
level.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Climbing and bounding is something that Sourisi is used to be now, lacking the means of flight like
La Sirene has. At least magical flight still appears to be the minority instead of the majority like
she feared long ago. It takes considerable effort for Sourisi not to pick up Batiste and hug him
tightly, his natural adorableness making it hard for her to go with her first instinct. She did say
that he was very charming!

Takk is, meanwhile, dealing with the troublesome emotion known as jealousy. He's not jealous of a
otter, not in the slightest.

Thankfully for Sourisi, a lecture seems to be the futhest thing from La Sirene's mind, and it takes
the mouse ninja to backtrack for a moment. "Huh? Oh, right, you did mention something like that, and
then I told you about the kosher ice cream!" She starts to giggle when Batiste hits close to the
mark and gives him points for effort. "You're close, Batiste-san! I'm not sure from what religion
it's from myself, but it basically amounts to food usually doesn't come from diseased animals here.
I try to keep track of what someone can have if they have dietry plans."

Cupping her chin in a free hand, Sourisi motions with a free hand towards where the Crown Arcade
should be...hopefully. Rooftops can change your perspective if you wern't careful! "The Crown Arcade
usually avoids that by serving a few milk-free ice creams on their menu, but not too many people I
know get it because they think it tastes terrible. It's...a little different, but you still get the
same experience. There's ones with peanut butter and chocolate, or tastes like bubble gum. If you
want, I can look around at some of the shops later and find out if there's a bigger selection of ice
cream somewhere...or maybe other kinds of desserts too!"

If it also means that she gets to taste test some more ice cream, it does seem like a win-win to
Sourisi as well!

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Batiste is extremely huggable. He's like a water cat with a big chubby tail. Chubby tail!! Precious
paws!! Cute little eyes!!

"Yes!" la Sirene says, clenching a fist in dramatic acknowledgement. "I want to know everything
about it!" Then she leans forwards as Sourisi explains, nodding along occasionally. Her lips purse
for a moment.

"Does that mean that regular milk can come from animals with diseases?" la Sirene asks. She frowns
and looks at Batiste.

Batiste looks back at her, and then back towards Sourisi. The otter explains, "Where we are from the
milk all comes from goats, not from cows."

"So it's um - what's the word. I know it tastes different, and the cheese is different," la Sirene
muses as she drifts a little closer to Sourisi. "Do you know what I mean?"

"I hope we aren't making assumptions," Batiste says, apologetically. He clasps his little paws.

"You must be a big fan of the Crown Arcade... I wish I had a favorite place like that," la Sirene
says, more dreamily. "And I would adore that, but don't put yourself out if it would be difficult
for you to do. I can look for such things myself if they occur to me."

La Sirene's head lolls slightly and she smiles at Sourisi. "My apologies. I always get rather
wistful, this time of day... I'm much more vivacious at night."

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It's rare for someone to be so interested when it comes to cooking explanations, even if it's an
imperfect one. The last time she tried to explain to Marinette what the difference between sifted
and unsifted flour, her eyes became glazed halfway through. Maybe it's how Takk feels at times?

"It can, but if it's a small infection or disease, it's usually taken care of during the
pasteurization process. It helps kills a lot of the germs, but some people are understandably still
picky about it. And some foods can be bought without it done, since it can taste completely
different as well!" A quick peek into her grocery bags show they're fine thanks to the shade. The
ice cream salesman was a lifesaver!

Milk from a goat? That's certainly different, and might explain why La Sirene can't have milk from
cows. Maybe her body couldn't handle the difference? "Goat milk? I never tried it before, but I
heard it's really strong. And I think so. They're alike yet completely different at the same time,
right?" Oooh, seeing Batiste almost bowing like that makes Sourisi wish she could take a picture of
him. He shouldn't be that cute! "You're both fine, Batiste-san! I just hope i'm explaining things
well enough!"

That last comment about the Crown Arcade has the mouse ninja rubbing the back of her neck, with her
cheeks turning pink. She was talking about it quite a bit, wasn't she? "Aah! W-well, I often don't
have a lot to do outside of school and fighting evildoers, so I go to arcades to pass the time. It's.
..one of the arcades I end up going to the most, though."

A slight frown appears on her lips for a moment when le Sirene mentions she wishes she had a
favorite spot. Takk might throw a fit, but...well, he did seem to be coming around with each person
she reveals herself to. "Well, it can be if you want it too. I-I mean, I know we all have our secret
identities and everything, but...I wouldn't mind taking you there sometime as a friend! And...
vivacious?" Sourisi stumbles over the word for a moment before realization dawns on her. "Oh, right!
I'm a night owl myself. I always seem to get all of my energy after the sun sets and you can relax."

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"The what?" La Sirene asks.

"Is that the thing where they heat it up and cook it just the tiniest bit to kill off the germs?"
Batiste asks. (To la Sirene, he explains, "Walk-on-glass process." He does not actually explain
anything with this.)

"I don't think it's strong!" la Sirene protests, though without great vigor. "But it is certainly
different... it tastes... mm, it's strong ER, I suppose I will accept that." And then she listens...
and she asks, "What do you hope to do, when you are older?"

She awaits an answer quietly.

But then she asks, "I have never really gone to a game center. Is it very hard? I don't want to look
foolish in front of everyone... I just did not have many games growing up, and even now I only have
the jewel one on my phone."

With a sense of having a confession, la Sirene adds, "I suppose that sounds strange. I am not... I
was not /raised/ in the Sea of Tears, my distant home."

Batiste shifts on la Sirene's shoulder, sitting upright. He rests his paw on the side of her head,
which does look a little preposterous, but it is to steady himself... and perhaps to provide support.

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Batiste seems to know exactly what pasteurization does, but his explanation to la Sirene leaves a
lot to be desired. "Wait, 'walk-on-glass' process? You walk on glass to clean food?" Was it a sheet
of glass or shards? Wouldn't that be painful?!

La Sirene's weakening protests has Sourisi laughing at the end of it all, unable to contain herself.
"So I guess it's true, then? I should try it myself someday, but...I might plug up my nose, to play
it safe if that's okay." Besides, trying out new foods is fun and like a miniature adventure. You
never quite know what to expect.

The next question fired her way brings the Miraculous user up short, not exactly that question in
the slightest. It's something she thinks about, with the far off prospect of high school still miles
away. Leaning her head against a pipe, Sourisi looks towards the darkening sky and takes a moment to
think. "Well...I don't exactly have anything specific planned, but I want to do something that make
others happy. Be it stopping evil like this all the time, bringing good food to others, or some
other way I haven't thought of...I just want to make the world a better place. There's too many bad
things that go on in the world, mundane or magical, so I just want to try to make it a little bit
better. As long as you can laugh, it's a good life, right?"

Maybe she has been thinking about it more than just a little.

Looking back at la Sirene, Sourisi's grateful for the change in subject. She tries not to think too
much about the serious parts of life. "Well...yes and no? There's all sorts of games at an arcade,
and while some are just games of luck, there's quite a few that can be difficult as well. An arcade
is made to make money no matter what, though! Keep that in mind!"

She wasn't raised in her home? And the Sea of Tears? Sourisi't never heard of a place like that
before, but just how Sirene talked about it, but it sounds like there's a lot that is unsaid and
felt at the same time. "I can't imagine what it would be like not to be raised in a place that you
know to be your home, but...isn't a home what you decide it is? A friend of mine grew up in France
for most of her life, but she considers Tokyo as a second home, even if it's not where she's raised.
" Hopefully she's not completely butchering this!

"I...moved several times in my life, and I still remember this study my father had back in my first
house. It was so quiet in there when it rained, and so peaceful. I haven't seen it in years, but I
still remember it clearly...u-uh, anyways! The point is maybe you're no longer there, but if you
have memories that you hold it close in your heart, it doesn't have to be so distant." Sourisi did
get a little sidetracked there with memories of that small house, but...it was still there, in a
sense.

She was no good at trying to be serious, was she?

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"No, no," Batiste says. "That was the name of our inventor of the idea! It was a little beforehand.
Really, it isn't important, though it did use a glass vessel..."

"Of course," la Sirene tells Sourisi with a sage nod. "Whatever you like. It's really got a good
flavor, though... rather tangy."

And then Sourisi speaks about her dreams and la Sirene's hands lace together before her as she
purses her lips in thought. It's not a frown, though it might seem near to one.

The explanation about food, helping people, making the world better... it strikes a chord in la
Sirene. Perhaps such feelings are not hers, not exactly, but she can feel them too, by analogy if by
absolutely nothing else. And is making the world happier all that much different from collecting the
sorrows of the world?

She listens.

"I," la Sirene says, "was born... in Sapporo. Did you go on the school trip...?" This alone was
sufficient to narrow the identity of la Sirene down to three people; only one at Ohtori, and two at
Infinity. "I did not leave much, save for family trips... except that I spent a summer away, in the
Sea of Tears, before I came to this place. To Tokyo."

La Sirene is quiet for a moment, and then says, "A study in your father's home... it sounds
wonderful."

"Places like that... memories... the Sea of Tears may sound ridiculous, but I can assure you that it
is a real place. But it is also a place where memories are built and where they can remain...
Sometimes people move their memories there, just to be safe."

After a moment, and a glance to Batiste, la Sirene says, "Can you tell me a day and a time when we
could meet? At that game center. I will come there, in my other form. I hope you'll be patient with
me as I learn the games... I do not know if I will like them. But, Sourisi, my dear -"

"I do like you."

("Does your friend really speak French? I would love to practice my French with her! They speak
French in the Sea of Tears," la Sirene says. Batiste, outside of la Sirene's hearing, later corrects
by saying they speak *a form* of French, perhaps because he senses a social disaster.)

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

So it wasn't actually her first home but the second that la Sirene misses? At least she wasn't
completely off, but it does make more sense now, where she considers her memories her home. "A place
where memories can be safe? It sounds like a great place, actually. I might have to look into it
more!" But with the name of the Sea of Tears...it also sounds a little dreary.

A full smile forms under Sourisi's masked eyes, and she gives a quick nod to her new friend. "Of
course! I'll be more than happy with teaching you the ropes on how to play at an arcade, and it'll
be my treat. I'll be in my other form too, um...look for a large leather bookbag and i'll wear
something green. Monday around lunch time then?"

Grabbing her chilled groceries and waving cheerfully at la Sirene (and a quick hug for Batiste!),
Sourisi starts leaping away towards her home. She needs to drop these off before meeting up with the
latest Miraculous user in Tokyo. And who said summer days were lazy?

2018-12-28 - TIMELINE 1: Summer's Cold Comfort!

2018-12-30T06:03:20Z

Blasktin: Noticed a tiny bit of OOC that snuck in!

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: TIMELINE 1: Summer's Cold Comfort!'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''On a long, lazy Friday, a little girl drops her ice cream cone while hurrying along the path to Sensouji Temple. Don't worry, there's something else perfectly willing to eat that beloved treat on a hot Summer's day. But it's not a dog or a cat -- it's an Orphan, and it threatens to consume all the cool things which could make this sweltering day bearable!''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
Mikoto Minagi (GMing), [[Steven Universe]], [[Kozue Kaoru]], [[Nori Ankou]], [[Fumiko Inoue]], [[Ami Mizuno]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]], [[Endo Naoki]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Shitamachi Low City - Sensouji Temple
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
2018-12-28 - 2014-08-08
|-
|}

.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Sensouji Temple +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The oldest and most famous temple Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Sensouji is
approached through several blocks of paper-lanterned stalls. The scent of
fried foods and the traditional clothing worn by the vendors gives the
market a festive feel, and on pleasant days the market street leading up to
the temple is jammed with people looking at dubiously handmade crafts,
traditional Japanese clothing, and various religious trinkets.

The temple itself is approached through a massive orange-red gate, which
looks as though it was orphaned from a great castle, and sports a pair of
hemp sandals large enough to hold a truck instead of a foot. The color
scheme repeats inside, where a heaped pagoda flanks the main hall, their
heavy pine-blue rooves contrasting with livid orange pillars to give a
stately, otherworldly impression. The grounds are extensive, with wide open
paved areas, and enough nooks and crannies to find some quiet even on busy
days. Multiple smaller halls are devoted to various deities, and many small
shrines and statues rest within a calm garden. There is even a separate
Shinto shrine adjacent to the temple, also named Sensouji.

As with a Shinto shrine, visitors are expected to wash their hands and mouth
from a font before entering, and can purchase charms and fortunes within for
a small donation.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Players +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

"Moooom, it's too hot!"

A little girl, pigtails barely the size of puffs either side of her head, wails injustice as she trots after her mother. They have done this for four years, now: to a girl of eight, that may as well be a tradition going back generations. They visit the temple, and on the way...

"It is awfully hot, isn't it?" Her mother says, as she squeezes her hand. "I know - let's get ice cream!" These are very important words; they have to be the same every time.

(On the third year there was an unseasonal cool snap during their visit, and it seemed a little strange to be wailing about the heat, but the little girl was insistent it be proper.)

There are tens of little stalls, set up along the way. Many of them serve traditional fare - rei shabu and yakisoba and kakigori and chocolate bananas - but there is one particular stall which deals in something a little more Western: ''Ice cream.''

The flavours, of course, are many and varied: there's green tea and nori mixed in with the typical strawberry and chocolate fare. With the sun sitting high in the sky, not yet low enough to promise the shade of night, the ice cream stall receives plenty of attention from passers-by. Even the creatures enjoy this place: there are several dogs milling about the area, sniffing out scraps. One snuffles under the table of the ice cream stand, and yipes as it scurries off a moment later. The woman manning the stall lowers her ice cream scoop, shocked at how she managed to scare it away without even yelling.

All those snacks are a good reason to pass by the temple, even for people without an interest in religion or history - the bazaar before Sensouji is legendary for its treats. Not all of them are food, of course: there are plenty of souvenirs to be had here, as well. But it's the ice cream which this little girl is interested in, and nothing else.

"But what sort of ice cream should we get?" Her mother wonders, with a grand show of peering at the flavours on offer.

"Lime and vanilla!" The girl insists, immediately.

"Lime and vanilla," marvels her mother, "what a wonderful combination! Two lime and vanilla ice creams, thank you!"

The cones are all scooped out, and the little girl reaches up to take hers in two hands, eyes shining with mirth. She happily follows her mother on towards the temple, enjoying her ice cream.

On every year but today, it only lasted until they got to the massive temple gate. It was too delicious not to eat quickly, never mind the time limit of the sun sweltering overhead.

Today...

There's a little fuzzy shadow darting out between the girl and her mother, from underneath one stall to another. She staggers and stumbles, and - in greatest horror - watches the ice cream cone slip from her hands.

Tears well in her eyes as she wails, because she has ''ruined'' Sensouji ice cream. Her mother turns to attend to her immediately, and with her back turned, she can't see that amorphous thing creeping out again.

It circles the fallen ice cream cone... circles... and makes a gurgling noise of contentment before it falls on the thing entirely.

And then, by the entrance to Sensouji Temple, something terrible happens.

That shadow twists and wends about itself until it forms a great, maned beast, vaguely leonine in form with limbs which bend outward in an unsettlingly reptilian manner, large enough to tower over the stalls. Intricate green markings weave across its icy-white skin, and at points on its body green tendrils grow from it, just like the ones which surround its neck and whiplike tail. Long, long claws descend from its paws, which hold it aloft from the ground on four little nails.

The little girl shrieks, and everyone starts to run. Well - most people, anyway...

The Orphan roars triumph, and bounds towards the ice cream bazaar, great jaws coming down on the chocolate and swallowing it in one big gulp. Its three golden eyes close in momentary contentment - both the outer ones with squidlike pupils, and the middle, slit like a cat's.

This is no king of all beasts -- this Orphan is the King of All Ice-Cream. All cold things belong to it!

COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi transforms into Youma Form The Ice-Cream King!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has fully healed herself. She is now ready to take on 8 opponents!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has finished attacking.

[OOC] <GM> Mikoto Minagi says, "omake visual reference: https://i.imgur.com/BmosS0D.png

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.

There has been something missing in little Steven Universe's life since the sudden translocation via magic to Tokyo. It was small, and was able to be held in one hand, and was necessary to this little boy's survival.

"He's a treat for your tummy!"

Steven was currently at a stall, showing a photo to the stand curator. A shake of the head, and Steven is off to the next ice cream spot. His flip-flops clap against the walkways and paths as he goes from stall to stall in some kind of ice cream frenzy. A very specific ice cream frenzy! But what if they weren't even in Japan at all?! Don't they import things?! This was an important import! An import of import, as it were!!!

"He left his family behind!" he says to another stall, showing a picture. Still no luck. "Maaan..." The child, seemingly defeated, finds a bench nearby to sit. He slumps down as he looks at his phone. They supposedly aren't made any more. He hasn't seen one sold since he got to Tokyo. A few finger swipes, and it shows a different product made by the same company. The boy visibly squints. "I don't like you," he says toward the phone, a rare negative emotion displayed by him.

A few vibrations snap Steven away from his phone, to raises his gaze to... "What," the Gem Child says, deadpanned voice a clear sign of his dislike already. He looks from his phone, to the creature, to his phone and back again. "Of ''all the things'' it had to be!" Steven yells, running toward it.

A magical, metallic TANG voices his opinion on the subject just as much as he does himself on arrival. "Hey you!" Steven calls toward the beast. "You are uh, you are not a great thing that is ruining ice cream for other people! You are already not a great ice cream! Kinda? Look just stop okay?!" he shouts toward it, Shield at the ready.

Is it even a Lion Licker? It is the wrong color, and has all those tendrils. Perhaps he is projecting out of frustration.

Eh, it is ruining people's day and eating ice cream stalls, does it really matter?

COMBAT: Steven Universe transforms into Serious Steven!
COMBAT: Steven Universe has used AND STEVEN! on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Steven Universe has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi braces 0 Fatigue damage from Steven Universe's AND STEVEN!, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Steven Universe is Psyched! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates! Exhausted applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Kozue Kaoru [None] has posed.

"How sweet of you..."

Adjusting her sunglasses, Kozue licks the ice cream cone that was just handed to her - and puts her opposite hand on the forearm of her date. "... I can't handle anything so sweet." She remarks, "It's a good thing I'm interested in something else more than the ice cream."

Her more circumspect date laughs, "Come on... we're at a festival..." A sheen of sweat adorns Kozue's shoulders over the thin strap of her tank top, her skinny jeans clinging to her hips. "What's your point?"

The young man's gaze lingered on her for a while - until the screaming started. Kozue turned to watch the orphan barrel into the ice cream stand and...

Slowly looks at her cone.

Her date did not freeze, as he began to heroically- "Don't worry Kozue-chan!" -drag her off the street, "I'll protect you!"

"Is that so?" The girl murmured in thought, before jabbing the ice cream cone right between her date's eyes. Yelping all screw-eyed from the turn of events, he suddenly found himself unable to find her date in the crowd. "Better start running." Declared a voice from an angle he couldn't see any longer. "Seems ''it'' has the appetite for sweet boys that I'm lacking."

-=-=-

A cord whirs through the street, a chain lacing through stall to stall before the weight ricochets off a lamp post, in a ricochet rebound that attempts to slide under the Orphan and back around in an attempt to encircle the orphan before a solid yank of the Element's chain tries to cause it to come crashing back into several stalls.

There's a girl wearing a gold half mask holding onto what looks like a small sickle at the other end of the chain. "Is it time for another one of you already?" The girl offers an almost languid sigh, "Well I suppose this tops how I intended to spend my afternoon."

COMBAT: Cassandra transforms into HiME Kozue!
COMBAT: Kozue Kaoru has used Dominant Chord on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Kozue Kaoru has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi braces 11 Fatigue damage from Cassandra's Dominant Chord, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Cassandra is Psyched! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has adjusted her boss levels. She is now ready to take on 7 opponents!

<Pose Tracker> La Sirene de l'Aurore [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Among the people here are a young woman in a sleeveless sun dress and a straw capelline hat. She is eating a lime sherbet with a spoon. Her purse is sitting near her - it's rather large for someone of her age, but perhaps she was charmed by it being authentic. The flap has been artfully spread out, and there is another lime sherbet tucked underneath the flap.

"Ahh... it is a little warm, isn't it~."

"At least it cools off at night, isn't that right?"

"It's true, it's true!"

A shadow falls upon the season. The great creature comes and leaps with gallivanting speed, devouring the ice cream stall almost-whole!

Nori Ankou pauses with her spoon in her mouth. She takes it out of her mouth, dragging it over her lower lip and points it towards the great monster several times as if struggling for words as a frown slowly seeps onto her face.

Something goes 'thump' on the bench next to her.

Nori reaches over. "You'll be alright?" she murmurs to her purpose.

A squeaky voice replies: "It's fine! I'll get the purse clear and then I'll come and monitor the situation!"

"Then as the star kisses the world - heaven let your light shine down"

Nori Ankou disappears.

La Sirene de l'Aurore on the other hand drifts in from the direction of the shrine proper. Her hair streams behind her, long black shading to pale and wispy green and blue that changes color subtly, following the motion of magnetic currents. Her dress is long-hemmed, pale violet and figure-hugging, with a suggestion of corsetry and her radiant Stellar Prism sitting in its habitual brooch cameo on her collarbone. Her eyes are pale as she gazes towards this creature. As she reaches up, adjusting the seven-gemmed hair pin over her left ear, she is about to say something -

But instead chains rattle instead.

La Sirene's lips, which have a perfect blue-to-green gradient going right to left, purse into a small pout. She puts a hand on her hip.

She raises the other hand to touch her chin with a violet-tipped fingernail. "... Do you recognize it?" the Siren of the Aurora asks Steven Universe, before she raises her voice slightly; "Back, Thing!" The prism at her collar gleams, sparkles - a languid and diaphanous prominence which happens to have a vast (if sluggishly shoving) force behind it radiates outwards! It feels vaguely like being in the sun.

Of course it's during the day so that's not that weird.

COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore has used Shine On Through The Night on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi braces 12 Fatigue damage from La Sirene de l'Aurore's Shine On Through The Night, taking 10 Fatigue damage! La Sirene de l'Aurore is Psyched! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates! Diversion applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

"You know what would be good on a nice, hot, sunny, warm summer's day like today? Ice cream."

This voice from the crowd comes not from the brown-haired schoolgirl - easily can tell she's a schoolgirl because of her Juuban summer uniform despite being on break - but from within her white handbag.

Think about it, Fumiko. You can have a deliciouss treat and keep nice and cool. And what you can't eat, you can give the rest to ssomeone you know~"

Fumiko sighs. "Ressi," she mutters quietly, "I can see through your clever master plan. If you want ice cream, just as-"

Maybe ice cream wasn't such a great idea at the moment. Not with a dessertcidal maniac monster on the loose! She reaches into the handbag and pulls out a bangle, as a snake-like Kwami peeks out. "There goes my ice cream," the pixie-like creature whines.

Fumiko places the bangle on her right arm and pushes Ressi back into the bag. "Hold on." She ducks behind an unoccupied stall and shouts "Bare fangs!" And just like that, a light from her bangle begins to spread. Her uniform replaces itself with a green scale-pattern bodysuit, a mask appears over her now-yellow eyes, and she twirls a suddenly-appearing closed parasol.

"Now... how should Serpentina Ruse handle this?" It was a question asked by the subject to nobody, as said Serpentina looks around. Yakisoba stand... close distance to banana stand... The twitch of a smile appears on her face. She turns her umbrella around, hooks a bowl of yakisoba with the handle, flinging it at the beast, and tries to sommersault to the chocolate banana stand for cover.

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Whacky Soba on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Fumiko Inoue's Whacky Soba, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Diversion applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Sailor Mercury [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Ami enjoys Shrines - they're pretty, they offer the best part of being around people without necessarily needing to interact heavily - and, well, there's treats. Delicious, delicious treats. Sitting on a bench away from the crowds, Ami Mizuno finds herself daintily enjoying a mini-box of anmitsu and a good book. A small, crying, child, however, is enough to get the kind-hearted Senshi's attention.

Glancing up as book gets folded into bag, Ami's heart skips a beat. A creature like that... here! Ruining a special day for a child... well, that's terrible! Ami remembers her own special trips to the International Children's Library ...

One transformation in the shadows later, the blue-suited sailor of love and intelligence appears. Holding her hands together, she twists, releasing energy into a mist that sinks across the stalls. "Get the civilians out of here!" She calls out, seeing things fly through the night as she herself approaches the stalls cautiously.

COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has used Sabao Spray! on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Sailor Mercury's Sabao Spray!, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Blind, Stun, and Trap applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

It takes a will of steel to go out into the heat during a blazing summer day. Usually it's better to hide from the merciless sun's rays in the safety of a loving AC, and with plenty of books and video games to wait until the sun has crossed the horizon. Unfortunately for Niramo Umokeshi, a loving note from her mother requesting her to get groceries waited for her on the kitchen counter. And with plenty of money set aside for only a few items...

Well, it's not like her mom would mind her getting something cold on the way home, right?

One arm laden with buldging groceries and her trusty bookbag bouncing against her hip, Niramo is panting softly as she makes her way towards Sensouji Temple. Not for the services of the temple, unfortunately. Unless something tragic is going on in her life, she isn't one to pray to the higher beings.

But the Temple did have relief from the heat, thanks to it's wondrous bazaar.

"Why...can't it be like Spring all year round? Or Fall? I could settle with both right now, i'm not picky..." With how she glistened in the setting sunlight, it's understandable if people thought Niramo was melting. She most certainly felt like it!

Sitting back in Niramo's bookbag, Takk can think of all the reasons why the seasons are the way they are, but...he has the slight impression Niramo isn't in the educational mood. It's always hard to tell with young humans.

The sounds of people screaming in fear brings Niramo back from her self-suffering to realize that everyone isn't screaming for the right reasons for ice cream. A tendriled...panther? Cat beast thing? Well, it was munching on a section of the ice cream bazaar, chocolate ice cream spilling from its' jaws. Niramo just stares up at the monster in shock and budding anger. "...that's not fair. That was supposed to be -my- ice cream!"

Looking around for a moment, Niramo runs behind a stall that sells novelty miko clothing and kau chim to deposits her groceries. Hopefully everything will stay cool long enough for take this beast out! "Takk-san, evil has struck, and it's after ice cream! Tail...sprout!"

-----

Hopping over the stand, Sourisi starts to run towards the Panther Pastry...no, that's a baked good. 'I need to think of a better name for this!' The hunt of a new name doesn't stop Sourisi from flinging her tonfa through the still air, wind whistling from their passing. "Didn't anyone ever warn you about ice cream headaches?! Leave some for the rest of us!"

Trusting her tonfa to come back to her soon, blinks as a large bowl of soba goes flying at the creature. This is an interesting take on a food fight, but first things first. "Right! Anyone who's hiding, please run away from the temple! It's not safe for you to hide right now!"
COMBAT: Niramo Umokeshi transforms into Sourisi!
COMBAT: Sourisi has used Crashing Tooth on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to counter Sourisi's Crashing Tooth, taking 36 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi's counterattack, Frostmane, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Sourisi!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo Naoki is at Sensouji temple to perform bread related activity. And there are many breads to do it with-melon bread, bread stuffed with jam, breaded meats, very many types of bread. Endo has chosen curry bread on this particular day, the boy seated on one of the small stools outside of the nearby stall. There he's been content to nibble at his meal, in no particular hurry to finish as he watches the market crowds.

No hurry until the Orphan makes its entrance, at least. Not only is it impossible to miss, he's close enough to the ice cream stand in question to be in direct danger of being bowled past by the monster. Though, the crowd of fleeing people almost do that job for it. Endo wobbles in his seat, ducking down as people hustle past.

It's when the coast is clear that he ducks into a nearby stall. A moment later, after a flash of purple light, he emerges again.

And, now armed with ancient Belkan power, he begins his fearsome attack: he throws a half-eaten curry bun at it.

"Hey! Leave that ice cream alone!"
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Real Skills on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi braces 6 Fatigue damage from Endo Naoki's Real Skills, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi is Quipped! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Many things are shouting at the King of All Ice-Cream; many more are shouting ''about'' it. The thing which is not quite a lion but perhaps might be mistaken for one in a dark alleyway doesn't seem bothered by Steven's words at all, but it's finished ruining the chocolate ice cream. It blinks as it straightens its head - it must be fifteen feet from the ground, upright like this - and looks down at the small boy making the most noise nearby.

If there seems to be any understanding there, he is imagining it: an Orphan is a beast which does not comprehend conversation or the conviction of a human heart.

Kozue's date finds himself tugged off by a concerned salaryman in the hustle and bustle, and ''that'' is what makes the Orphan turn its head. It smells the delicious scent of chill history, and it turns on nail-feet to approach - only to find itself entangled by a chain too tricky to follow. Like a Great Dane on a leash, it's difficult to lead anywhere, but it's also precariously balanced, and it stumbles into the ice cream stand as it tries to regain its footing.

Those nails shoot out, extending in length to catch itself in the ground. And to dissuade the owner of that chain, it raises one of its paws - and those claws lance out towards ''her'' instead of the concrete, threatening to turn her into a Kozue-kebab.

It shakes itself out as it jumps away from the chains, titter-totter on the ground, and the light of the sun graces it instead. It roars displeasure, barreling towards the shaved-ice kakigori stand to cool down. This is about when two things hit it: firstly, a bowl of yakisoba, which it crunches in its great jaws. It's cool and delicious, so naturally it ''also'' eats the next thing flying at it...

... which happens to be half a curry bun.

It stomps and snarls, and it is such a ''large'' thing that the earth trembles to feel it - not to mention Serpentina Ruse, Steven, and la Sirene de l'Aurore. Its tendrils lash wildly, but they fail to catch at a tonfa launched with precision, which ricochets off of its jaw and knocks one of those too-large teeth free.

Unfortunately, a second later there is a shimmer of light, and the fang returns as if it had never been destroyed at all.

Mercury's cautious approach comes in last, dousing the Orphan in a spray; it turns its broad head back and forth and cannot see anything at all for a moment. But its tendrils lash out around it as it crashes forward, brushing away bubbles and lingering light and the stains of yakisoba; they threaten to catch Endo as it passes him.

It roars again, and it shudders at the stalls; as it turns its head it looks to Sourisi and Sailor Mercury, and they may find it is not just an unpleasant noise, but far too loud of one.

COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Icy Claw on Cassandra.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Rumble At The Rink on La Sirene de l'Aurore.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Rumble At The Rink on Steven Universe.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Rumble At The Rink on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Defrosting on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Sailor Mercury.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has finished attacking.

COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore fails to dodge Mikoto Minagi's Rumble At The Rink, taking 20 Fatigue damage! Exhausted and Stagger applied to La Sirene de l'Aurore!
COMBAT: Cassandra perfectly braces 32 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Icy Claw, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Brace! Cassandra's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue fails to dodge Mikoto Minagi's Rumble At The Rink, taking 18 Fatigue damage! Exhausted applied to Fumiko Inoue!
COMBAT: Sourisi braces 6 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Chilling Proclamation, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Stun applied to Sourisi!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki cleanly braces 11 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Defrosting, taking 2 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki's Block and Parry abilities activate! Bind Break! All of Mikoto Minagi's debuffs are cleared!
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury perfectly dodges 10 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Chilling Proclamation, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Dodge! Sailor Mercury's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Steven Universe fails to brace Mikoto Minagi's Rumble At The Rink, taking 19 Fatigue damage! Stagger applied to Steven Universe!

<Pose Tracker> Sailor Mercury [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Mercury prays her mist help. However, the beast reacts with a noise that makes her cry out, her hands coming up to her ears. Her headphones... thick, right? Made of a decent material that tends to absorb sound and other things... Her blue eyes widen, even as she takes off, using the nearby stall to catapult herself over to the ... baked goods?!

Mercury finds a pair of nice, reasonably dense, delicious muffins that she promptly grabs in both hands and shoves over her ears, even as she starts humming under her breath. The combination of ... item... density and her own noise help her combat the noise from the Ice ... Cream... Lion? pretty well.

It's definitely a Usagi solution.

"Hey! Over here!" Mercury aims for the mouth... and then starts throwing muffins with all the cheer of the genius whose worst score is in physical education.

They're probably really good muffins, at least.
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has used Muffin Toss on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Sailor Mercury's Muffin Toss, taking 24 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.

That strange Lion-ish beast finally stops rampaging around after eating that whole ice cream stall, or at least, most of it. "Y... Yeah! You heard me!" Steven shots, unsure now if yelling at this thing really does much of anything. Can it even hear him?

A look to his side, a lady in a gorgeous outfit addresses him. "Ah. Not really? It looks kinda like an ice cream treat I don't like, but otherwise, no idea!" And with l'Aurore's appearance, so do other magical inclined folk! Including some he knows, as always, here to save the day!

The Covenant of Style, as always, there to stop evil! Such as... taking ice cream?

The more he thinks about this creature, the more his plans fall apart. Sorta like melting ice cream.

...Anyway.

Others begin to launch their attack, and the beast reacts, creating tremors that take Steven's feet out from under him, falling on his back flat, taking the wind out of him. "Oof!" comes from the boy, a painful exhalation of air.

A few wheezes, and the boy makes it back to his feet, fumbling for his shield that clanged to the floor, a few pink sparks flashing from contact with the walkway. "Why is it so angry?! Ice cream makes people happy! Is it lactose intolerant?!"

HOlding the shield at the edge, Steven raises it high and over his back, before lurching forward, and with a pair of steps, throws it toward the Orphan vertically, spinning at a high velocity, it kicks once, twice off the ground, kicking up pink sparks from impact with stone, the second time gaining some air and heading right for the creature at a high speed!

"It looks like it just wants the ice cream! Maybe we can bait it?!" he yells to everyone. Hey, it was an idea! Maybe lure it away somewhere safe.
COMBAT: Steven Universe has used Throw Shield on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Steven Universe has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Steven Universe's Throw Shield, taking 37 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Cassandra [None] has posed.

Cassandra is not a typical presence during such fights, mostly she leaves it up to other Mahou Shoujo. It is simply that she cannot be bothered, and while others are concerned with the civilians... well she could care less about their plight.

"Took you long enough." She remarks almost snidely as the others arrive on scene, yet thats the same moment the creature points its paw up at her. Quickly whipping the chain up and tugging it taut, she throws the aim off just enough to swipe at the air savagely with her sickle, cutting the launched claws into shards.

They pepper the area behind her with a wince, as her pivoting motion reveals the crimson brand on her shoulder.

Using the distraction of a thrown curry bun, she decides to dematerialize her Element, which then reappears back into her hands. "Karepan? Really?" She says with a glance Endo's way, "That felt like a better idea than using your sword?"

Fortunately the Sabao spray like mist then covers the battlefield. "It's an Orphan." Cassandra says in response to both La Sirene and Steven. "A little strategy is nice but don't try to make sense of it."

-and one can hear the tip tap of her pumps moving in an encircling flank before she charges, and drops down into a slide.

From below, she attempts to stab it into the Orphan's belly just long enough for her momentum to drag it further in. "Just beat it to death and move on with your life until the next one shows up kids."

COMBAT: Cassandra has used Staccato on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Cassandra has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to counter Cassandra's Staccato, taking 38 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi's counterattack, Bite of Winter, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Cassandra!

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Sourisi lets out a soft cheer as her tonfa fly into battle and disrupts the icy tendrils from latching onto her fellow magical defenders, and even managed to crack off a massive tooth. "I hope that wasn't your sweet tooth!" ...only for the joy she felt from her impromto dentistry vanish as suddendly as the panther king restores his tooth. "...oh, so you're that one simple trick all the dentist hate." It can eat massive amounts of ice cream and doesn't have to worry about cavities? So not fair.

That cooling spray from the Sailor Senshi cools the air, and the Miraculous mouse ninja gives a quick smile towards Sailor Mercury. "You have to be very popular during the summert-AAAH!" Taking her eyes off the ice beast was a novice mistake, and Sourisi's ears are ringing and muting everything around her. Shaking her head does seem to help, but that was like nails on a chalkboard! This beast has it all. "Owwww, you know, screaming in my ears is a terrible way to ask for attention!"

Catching her boomeranging tonfa as they fly through the air, Sourisi starts to rush towards the beast, her eyes focusing on the chain for the moment. It seems to be working, but what if they had more chains...? Well, time to see if someone doesn't mind helping with a little imprompto plan! But...well, it might help if everyone was back up on their feet.

Diverting her course from the ice beast, Sourisi goes to help La Sirene up, though honestly surprised by just how pretty she was up close. "Hey, are you okay? I mean, we had a rough patch there, but there's quite a lot of people who's here to fight this thing. Let's beat it up and show that summer treats are better shared!"
COMBAT: Sourisi has used Heartfelt Pledge on La Sirene de l'Aurore.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore accepts Sourisi's Heartfelt Pledge, taking 0 Fatigue damage! La Sirene de l'Aurore is Cheered!

<Pose Tracker> La Sirene de l'Aurore [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Others come in - serpent, Mercury, Device-bearer - it's really all quite alchemical, la Sirene thinks with a purse of her lips, but then the real magic happens. In this case that magic takes the form of a roar that reaches deep within the auroral body of la Sirene and -

And well, you see, la Sirene has a certain weakness now when she's bearing the light of the stellar prism. She isn't touching the ground. That can be a boon... but for now it is a bane, for the force of that roar abruptly and without preamble pushes her back so far she technically enters the temple ground!

Or at least some wood. Bowled over, she makes a strange musical noise before a hand comes towards her. La Sirene travels through several hues of purple and pink before she reaches an upright posture and blue-green once again, saying to Sourisi with a soft breath, "Thank you - Oh, goodness, how horrible." Her eyes turn back out towards the creature -

Which Cassandra explains to them.

"To become an orphan... what a tragedy," la Sirene muses, touching her chin again. "But to lash out like this... Anger is forgivable but to visit that anger onto others only distorts the cycle of sorrow itself. I can't forgive it!" Her eyes widen.

To Sourisi, la Sirene says, "Everyone has their own tastes... but we all share in the experience of the heat and its relief. What do you like best? I enjoy the lime - I can't quite handle most ice cream, not too much, anyway... milk does not agree with me..."

Is this really the time to editorialize about your dietary quirks, la Sirene de l'Aurore!?

Except...

The sun seems to flicker...!

It's a trick, really, something with etheric fields or the magnetic distortion... swamp gas, they say. At night it's far more spectacular, but with a single bright point in the sky, it's *easier* to do in the day. The light dims a bit for everyone else, as if a cloud passed over the sky.

Then it brights right around the front of the Orphan, with a ghostly hint of a rising chord!

"I call that the Channel of Photon," la Sirene tells Sourisi. "What do you think?"

COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore has used Abyssal Vision on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi neatly dodges 20 Fatigue damage from La Sirene de l'Aurore's Abyssal Vision, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Blind and Tangle applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo lets out a cry of alarm as tendrils lash toward him, the boy raises his oversized weapon in front of him like a shield. It works vaguely the same way-though the force of the blow is still enough to lift him from his feet and send him rolling across the market street.

"Yaaa, it's really making a mess." The boy rights himself, flopping back onto his feet and taking a quick scan of the area. Cassandra's words make him pauses, his lips thinning into a sheepish line. "I wanted to get it's attention" It did not work out as planned.

Perhaps he takes her criticisms to heart, because this time he does use the sword. The boy takes a running leap toward the back of the Orphan, hands bringing the massive blade up in a swing toward it's white hide.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Asteroid Eilen on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi decisively counters 33 Fatigue damage from Endo Naoki's Asteroid Eilen, taking 11 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi's Reverse ability activates!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi's counterattack, Icy Claw, partially gets through, doing 27 Fatigue damage to Endo Naoki! Stagger applied to Endo Naoki!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Direct hit! Yakisoba reaches its target... and is eaten. "Of course." Soon afterwards, Serpentina Ruse takes note of the next flying food's effect. "Gluten allergies? What was in that bread- ahh!"

Even with the cover of the stand, Serpentina was not safe from a quake attack. She tries to roll and avoid it, but it was too much, causing her to tumble ungracefully. As she gets to her feet, she thinks about flinging more food at the beast... then Steven mentions luring it away. With Cassandra's brutal advice, Serpentina feels uneasy about the fight, and flings the chocolate bananas NEAR but not AT the beast. She then opens her parasol at the Orphan beyond what you're supposed to, inverting it and blowing a burst of air at it while she slides back from the force. "Sorry... but you shouldn't be stealing from kids and ruining ice cream for everyone. Go to the store and buy it or something."

COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Wind Wall on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to dodge Fumiko Inoue's Wind Wall, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Exhausted applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

The Orphan's claws shatter like a thousand fragile little icicles as Cassandra wards away the attack... but more grow in a moment later, and it's able to put its paw to ground again without touching the earth at all. It seems as if this creature abjures minor grievances without a single care.

It does not know what 'over here' means, and Sailor Mercury is far enough away that it doesn't have any urge to address her. But a muffin catches its attention as it impacts with the fleshy tendrils which make up its mane - it's a close ''enough'' hit to its mouth - and it turns to chomp up the next two which come sailing in.

But they're not ''cold'' snacks, and there's no legacy to them, and so the Orphan shakes its head with a whuff of discontent. Tastes bad! It bounds forward towards the muffin stand, and licks Sailor Mercury with a tongue made of a thousand stinging nettles. Monster cat tongues are so much worse than sandpaper.

It doesn't know why Steven has such animosity - though certainly it would chomp up his Cookie Cats with the greatest satisfaction were there any to be had. Instead it eats a shield - which is to say it clobbers into its chest, pulling up its head as it rears back in protest. Here is where Cassandra slides through, her sickle-blade catching at its belly, carving a long line which floods with shimmering light. It whirls to chomp at her, but even a HiME who cares little for defending the innocent has more than enough experience with Orphans to predict its movements, and she's already gone. It lashes out at Cassandra with the tendrils of its tail without even looking back - because its gaze is focused on Steven, who earns a piercing strike with those too-long claws.

La Sirene speaks of tragedy but it is the glare of the light which the Orphan recognises. It growls and moves away, only for the magnificent display to follow. Slowly it begins to speed up, until it is running for the shade. The wind-wall which Serpentina summons buffets its attempts to get out of the limelight, blowing it back into the aurora - and right into the path of Endo Naoki.

It doesn't care much for what anyone is saying, but it can hear them, and when it hears someone on swift approach it whirls to face him. If Endo wanted the Orphan's attention, he has it - a claw lashing out to catch against the broad edge of Fallen Stern. Two of the lengthy nails are carved through as he plows forward, but two more escape the black blade to lance so close by his shoulder he might be glad his hair is too short to be given an impromptu haircut. His sword arrives at the Orphan to cleave through, taking that offending leg clean off...

... but this, too, is fixed in shimmering light. The Orphan roars irritation, and bites at the sword which is causing such annoyance - and the boy beyond it. This done, it leaps, and when it impacts the ground - too close to Serpentina and Sourisi and la Sirene to be ignored - it quakes with its weight.

COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Has A Flavour? on Sailor Mercury.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Frostmane on Cassandra.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Icy Claw on Steven Universe.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Bite of Winter on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Rumble At The Rink on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Rumble At The Rink on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Rumble At The Rink on La Sirene de l'Aurore.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has finished attacking.

COMBAT: Cassandra perfectly counters 25 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Frostmane, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Critical Counter! Cassandra's Reverse and Tactician abilities activate!
COMBAT: Cassandra's counterattack, Subito Sforzando, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Mikoto Minagi!
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury partially dodges 2 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Has A Flavour?, taking 8 Fatigue damage! Sailor Mercury is Quipped! Sailor Mercury's Fade and Flash abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue braces 9 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Rumble At The Rink, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Exhausted and Stagger applied to Fumiko Inoue!
COMBAT: Sourisi neatly dodges 16 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Rumble At The Rink, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Sourisi's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Exhausted and Stagger applied to Sourisi!
COMBAT: Steven Universe decisively counters 27 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Icy Claw, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Diversion applied to Steven Universe!
COMBAT: Steven Universe's counterattack, Bubble Shield, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Mikoto Minagi!
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore counters 5 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Rumble At The Rink, taking 15 Fatigue damage! La Sirene de l'Aurore's Reverse and Tactician abilities activate! Exhausted applied to La Sirene de l'Aurore!
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore's counterattack, Les Mysteres, partially gets through, doing 9 Fatigue damage to Mikoto Minagi!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki fails to counter Mikoto Minagi's Bite of Winter, taking 21 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi is Psyched!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki's counterattack, Asteroid Eilen, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.

Steven lands that shield blow on the Orphan. It connects, with great force, then sorta slides off its strange textured hide. This could be harder than it looks.

He looks to the side toward Cassandra, hearing her way of dealing with the creature. He grimaces toward he casual dismissal of killing it and moving on. It does need to be stopped, but... So violently?

la Sirene gets knocked around a bit mroe than normal-- it looks like she is floating! She had nothing to push against. "You okay?!" he calls to her. She seems alright, but that was quite a blow!

The Orphan makes its rebuttal in the form of incredibly long claws! "Eep!" squeaks Seteven putting both of his hands up and outward toward it, a roseate bubble springing to life in the form of a quickly blooming flower. The coming impact causes Steven to fall backward within his own defenses, as the claws threaten to punchture the bubble! "Uh, uhhhhh!" he looks around for some possible plan!

Though it quickly mvoes on to deal with other, more accessible targets, it gives him an idea!

Steven begins to roll his shield toward the creature, like a hamster in a ball! "Heeeey! I dare you to do that again!" he yells at the Orphan, attempting to distract it from others. The Bubble may not hold up to another attack, but it doesn't need to.

Because the next time it tries to attack Steven, he will hold his hand outward and concentrate. The bubble will expand outward, and pop.

Loudly. Violently.
COMBAT: Steven Universe has used Repelling Shield on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Steven Universe has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to counter Steven Universe's Repelling Shield, taking 17 Fatigue damage! Diversion applied to Mikoto Minagi!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi's counterattack, Bite of Winter, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Steven Universe!

<Pose Tracker> Sailor Mercury [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Does Mercury have a flavor? She do! A nice, refreshing, cool river sort of taste, clearly. Mercury is licked and while this is both painful due to the needlelike tongue it's also... you know, better than getting eaten? Which really, really could have happened just now.

Wiping her face off with one gloved hand, she grimaces as she flicks Ice Cream Lion drool off of her fingers afterwards, her other hand coming up to touch a specific erring on her left side. This is an Orphan, but there's something, some sort of trick, she's sure - it didn't seem to like her tossed muffins, sure, but it certainly also seems to have a taste for things.

"Come, tell me... what really is your favorite flavor?" Mercury murmurs as she starts examining the Orphan much more closely.

COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has used Mercury Goggle on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi cleanly braces 0 Fatigue damage from Sailor Mercury's Mercury Goggle, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates! Analysis performed by Sailor Mercury! Diversion and Exhausted applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Cassandra [None] has posed.

"Don't feel pity for it! It's just a name!" Cassandra calls to La Sirene as she is already sailing past the creature. However then its tail comes up, she swings her around her chain from her position on the ground, sending the weight into an intercept course.

It's only with sheer brutality that she manages to redirect the frozen tail into smashing into the ground, showering her with a diamond dust spray.

"I THINK WE HAVE ITS ATTENTION!" She calls as she scrambles off the ground into a standing position, yanking her chain back her way. The weight bounces and finally ends up in a roll by her feet as it bounces back.

The bemasked HiME pants, considering their situation... then simply decides. "You know what? I haven't let her out for fun in ages." Tossing her short hair, she looks over her shoulder and winks at the other Mahou Shoujo through her mask... before stating... "Cassandra."

Her name? What is that going to d-

Except her image doubles, and within a sudden geyser of water is two crimson eyes. The water doesn't so much as fall back to the ground, as it settles droplet by droplet in the air. The silhouette of an armored swan takes form, light gleaming off of each hovering droplet and armor plating both.

Child glares down Orphan for a moment, as the water droplets are twisted, coalescing like she were weaving a braid... into a long tendril not unlike that of a whip. "This is how you deal with orphans."

It flows around her chaotically, before she sends it out, again and again like a whip. Trying to catch and tear at the orphan's limbs. Not so much to restrain - but to maul. Like some fickle ocean creature that was simply playing with its prey. The way she figures - even if it freezes it, it'll still eat some payback anyhow in the recoil.

"You don't lecture them." She says, and perhaps La Sirene can feel her eyes on them more than the others - though Serpentina perhaps too.

The HiME alights atop her Child. Placing a hand to her Child's armored neck.

"You crush them. If you want to be more elegant about it that's fine. I'm more attracted to raw force myself."

COMBAT: Cassandra transforms into Kozue and Cassandra!
COMBAT: Cassandra has used Rusalnaya Nedelja on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Cassandra has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi braces 21 Fatigue damage from Cassandra's Rusalnaya Nedelja, taking 17 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Cassandra is Psyched! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates! Cripple applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Cassandra has Sourisi blinking a few times at her before looking towards the ice panther and just shaking her head. An Orphan, a Youma, an Akuma Villain...they're a lot alike to her, except this one apparently lost its' parents? "So don't overthink it, then? Got it!"

Maybe she would know more about all the different monsters if she bothered to listen to Takk's lectures fully.

The question from the graceful floating maiden has Sourisi nonplussed. It's...the middle of a fight, but she has been wondering what flavors it was made out of... "W-well, i'm actually a fan of strawberry cheesecake ice cream, but if you are lactose-intolerant, I know the ice cream at the Game Center Crown Arcade sometimes has kosher ice cream!"

The beam of light that la Sirene creates has the miraculous ninja glance down at her tonfa. "I wish I could do magic like that, honestly. As much as I love my tonfa, they don't exactly stand out in battle, you know?"

This sounds like a common complaint of Sourisi, but it's not style that counts in battle!

La Sirene's beam of light acts like a natural spotlight, and it's clear when the main actor is moving around on the stage! Hopping up on top of a stall, a mouse takes flight through the air just in the nick of time to miss the worst of the pounce-quake. "A little heavy there, Panther-san. Maybe you should go on a diet?" Can a monster even go on a diet?...that...might be a bit too much effort to try to convince a evil monster to do. Best to just beat it up instead!

Cassandra seems to have the same idea, and that massive swan of her has the mouse ninja taking a moment to just stand back in watch. Her 'whip' is much too chaotic for Sourisi to jump in as well. "As long as you don't try that on an Akumaizied Villian, that should work!"

Sourisi changes as course as soon as she lands on another stall and leaps away, tonfa coming up in hand. The chain idea might be a bust now, but if they beat it up into a lump...it's hard to argue against that! "No worries though, I think I know of a quick fix. Just have to add a few lumps!" In a mirror of the Orphan's own pounce, Sourisi leaps at the Orphan and starts swinging away with her tonfa at anything in reach!
COMBAT: Sourisi has used Mouse Flurry on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi counters 14 Fatigue damage from Sourisi's Mouse Flurry, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Sourisi is Psyched! Mikoto Minagi's Reverse ability activates!
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi's counterattack, Bite of Winter, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Sourisi!

<Pose Tracker> La Sirene de l'Aurore [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"Kosher ice cream? Would that make a difference?" la Sirene asks Sourisi curiously. "I am used to things with goats - where I am from, we don't have cows, except as guests."

"I'm alright, I'm alright," la Sirene says to Steven then. After a moment, she pauses, pursing her lips as she weighs what Steven was saying. Why is he upset here? He seems unusually agitated from la Sirene's perspective, but perhaps he has his reasons. Her eyes turn back to the great beast -

Her left hand comes up, her right hand windmilling around as she raises her voice. "Les Mysteres --"

R O A R

"Come!"

Silver-threaded with particolored pastel, the burst of light ripples out from la Sirene's left hand, colliding with the wave of sound and SPLATTERING outwards! The touch of the light is harmless but it seems to be a genuine, tingly-feeling liquid to the touch before it evaporates in the atmosphere of Earth, and la Sirene grimaces afterwards. "Akumatization?" she asks Sourisi, before her attention snaps back to Cassandra.

La Sirene pouts again, but seems to take the words of Cassandra's mistress to heart.

Exhaling, she twists her hands round, forking her fingers as if to ward off the evil eye. The Prism at her chest sparkles and sends streaking rays of light as she floats in a widdershins loop, as if to try and flank the thing out. The intensity of these is growing, even as she trails gorgeous light...!

COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore has used Carbonado Kaleidoscope on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi braces 16 Fatigue damage from La Sirene de l'Aurore's Carbonado Kaleidoscope, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates! Stagger applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Everyone seems to be distracting the Orphan from everyone else. Serpentina ponders the wild actions of the beast. Was there no rhyme or reason as Cassandra hints? Or does it have something it needs?

Serpentina has something SHE needs. To get out of the way. Learning from her dodging mistake last time, she only performs a simple back jump and sticks the pointed end of the umbrella into the ground to maintain balance. The effort takes a lot out of her, but she is still able to stand at least. She then uses the grounded parasol to swing herself around and after a few quick rotations kick at the beast and jump back, yanking her 'weapon' out of the ground.

At the HiME's lecture against lectures - or at least at one of them - Serpentina glares back. She's much too bloodthirsty for her tastes. "Who cares what you're attracted to," she hisses, "we're not trying to date you." However, she might have a point, as everyone else seems to be attacking with a decent amount of fervor. Is this really not a living being? Is it just some kind of construct made from evil?

Either way, it still makes her a bit uneasy.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has used Spinny Kick on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Fumiko Inoue's Spinny Kick, taking 8 Fatigue damage! Fumiko Inoue is Psyched!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo can't argue, he does seem to have the Orphan's attention. The boy's teeth clench in pain as claws rake across his barrier jacket. His efforts to discourage the monster from taking a bite out of him don't go terribly well, the dark blade shunted aside by gigantic teeth.

Endo stumbles backward, nearly toppling into an abandoned stall of tourist trinkets. It takes a moment for him to regain his balance, and the creature is leaping up and away by the time he does.

That doesn't stop him, though. The boy makes a leap of his own in pursuit, still heaving that huge sword along with him. This time he comes from above, diving down, attempting to sink the weapon into the side of the orphan with a cry of effort.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Asteroid Eilen on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Endo Naoki's Asteroid Eilen, taking 45 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Yelling does little to attract the King of all Ice-Cream's attention - but proximity works well enough. Steven rolls towards the Orphan in his bubble, and it sets upon him, gnawing on the bubble with its great jaws. It would be incredibly tasty, if it could just get its teeth into it. And perhaps at first it seems to work -

- except it works too well -

- and the shield explodes in its mouth in a way which does very little for its flavour. It howls with pain as it shakes its head, staggering back on teeter-tottering steps. Its tendrils lash about itself, threatening to catch Steven as they try and clear this bad taste from itself.

This exchange, observed by Sailor Mercury, tells her everything she needs to know in her overhead display: there is a reason this Orphan is going after everything cool on a hot Summer's day. It's because those cold treats mean something, to the many people of Tokyo. It might be easy to call such a thing jealousy - but the only thing to it is desire. It wants to take these things away from the boys and girls who so value them. It wants them for itself. It wants, and wants, and wants, and there is no reasoning with it at all.

It's something which the HiME know well. Cassandra screams that they have its attention as she slams her chain against its lashing tail, and as she summons her Child it is certainly true. The lumbering consideration of the Orphan turns sharp in an instant as it whips its head towards the Child, snarling challenge. Tendrils catch at the whip as it flenses in, but Cassandra never meant to entangle it, and again and again bits of the Orphan are shaved away. One of those tendrils manages to escape the storm, though, and it extends to lash heavily against the HiME and her Child.

Unfortunately, Sourisi's taunts mean little to the Orphan. Her tonfa are much more effective at getting its attention, and it turns to meet her as she descends like a meteor, biting at those tonfa which strike. But she's too quick to be caught in those big jaws, and she peppers plenty of hits onto it while its tendrils are occupied with Cassandra.

It's a strategy which Serpentina and Endo also share. Serpentina comes in to kick at its side, and it has no tendrils left to abjure her; at its other flank, Endo careens down blade-first, carving a long line through the place its ribcage ought to be. There's nothing in the hole, until light floods it, slower this time.

It roars as as it shakes itself violently, as if to overwhelm Serpentina and Endo and Niramo with its noise. It charges away from their combined assault - threatening to run down Sailor Mercury with its precarious nail-claws.

And that is when les Mysteres come. It staggers from the brush of the light against it as it shakes its head to dismiss the brightness, and turns its attentions to the auroral girl. It snaps at her in mid-air - perhaps it must leap up to do so, but it is rather large, and has the advantage of feet which are as high up off the ground as it could ever want to be. Perhaps it is greedy enough to eat the sun. Perhaps greed is the wrong word.

COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Defrosting on Steven Universe.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Frostmane on Cassandra.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Icy Claw on Sailor Mercury.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Bite of Winter on La Sirene de l'Aurore.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has finished attacking.

COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Defrosting on Steven Universe.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Frostmane on Cassandra.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Sourisi.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Fumiko Inoue.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Chilling Proclamation on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Icy Claw on Sailor Mercury.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has used Bite of Winter on La Sirene de l'Aurore.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi has finished attacking.

COMBAT: Cassandra braces 11 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Frostmane, taking 17 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Cassandra's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore braces 11 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Bite of Winter, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi is Psyched! La Sirene de l'Aurore's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury fails to dodge Mikoto Minagi's Icy Claw, taking 47 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Stagger applied to Sailor Mercury!
COMBAT: Sourisi dodges 4 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Chilling Proclamation, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Sourisi's Fade and Flash abilities activate! Stun applied to Sourisi!
COMBAT: Steven Universe perfectly braces 9 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Defrosting, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Brace! Steven Universe's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki braces 7 Fatigue damage from Mikoto Minagi's Chilling Proclamation, taking 3 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki's Block and Parry abilities activate!
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue fails to dodge Mikoto Minagi's Chilling Proclamation, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Stun applied to Fumiko Inoue!

<Pose Tracker> Cassandra [None] has posed.

"Ara..." Cassandra declares at Serpentina's statement of not wanting to date her. "And here I thought we were getting along. What's your type then?"

Cassandra offers this sorta savage smile as she guesses ahead of time, "The mouse? I guess I understand the thought of only wanting to date someone you can devour alive..."

The Swan Child attacks with an almost sadistic glee, and when the Orphan attacks back with an ice tendril of its own, she crosses her wing tips in front of herself, the ice shattering in a spray that rocks her backwards.

However... afterwards, the child uncrosses its wings with a savageness, the gleam in its eyes seemingly appreciating the idea of an Orphan that fights back - and fights back within its realm no less.

"No promises mouse girl." Cassandra says, as she emphasizes her position in her own 'ship' of Serpent and Mouse. The fact is that she doesn't know what an Akuma is, truly. "Besides... are you sure this wouldn't be effective against one of your... Akuma?"

The Swan raises its wings, and water seeps out of the ground around it, as if it were bringing it out of its environs, from beneath the city from water lines and hydrants - or perhaps summoning it from the air itself.

The Child then shifts a wing in a directional motion, its tip pointed at the frost orphan, and the water flows over in a wave, attempting to smother it, the water not falling on the ground, but simply warping - twisting around in an attempt to encase it underwater above ground. "Sailor Mercury - if you want to borrow some of Cass' water..." The HiME gives her this smug smile, "...well, she doesn't mind sharing."

Assuming it does not get away in time, the globe distorts light around it, refracting the image in an aquamarine waves of light, before the water contracts - again - and again. It is increasing the pressure gradually, until it not unlike that of the deepest depths of the ocean.

The globe of water then bursts outwards after, explosively, as the Child releases its control... the pressure must alleviate itself somehow after all.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Cassandra has used The Oceanides on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Cassandra has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Cassandra's Finisher, The Oceanides, taking 214 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Sailor Mercury [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Information flashes before Mercurys' eyes. Her blue eyes widen in surprise, but sudden understanding. This focus on what she's learned rather than the Lion itself, however, is to her own painful downfall, as those icy claws sink deep into her. "Ahhh!" She cries out, biting her bottom lip before she vaults backwards out of its' grip, shuddering, before she goes back to her Goggle.

A small supercomputer - the one she always has - appears briefly in Mercury's grip, before she taps her earring again. "I think we have it nearly about halfway down! It might start attacking harder and stronger as a result - we have less general endurance, I think, seperately..." Mercury shakes her head. "- Yet that doesn't mean give up! There's more than enough of us, that if we keep working together, we can do this!"

Ami-Mercury is a strong believer in teamwork. "Also, it's after all the cold stuff! It's why it's avoiding stuff like the baked goods! It's trying to ... take them from us... it's greed, in its' purest form! It doesn't want us - it doesn't want the children to be happy!"

"Now that's a rude thing!"

Mercury shifts her weight, facing down the Ice Cream Lion, her arms crossed. "It's up to us to show you the way! Double Sabao Spray Freezing!" The energy gathering in front of her suddenly bursts out in a surprisingly quick burst of bubbles heading straight for the Ice Cream Lion.

COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has used Double Sabao Spray Freezing on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Sailor Mercury has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Sailor Mercury's Double Sabao Spray Freezing, taking 56 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.

Maybe this creature is different from others fought. It could be just a malignant force that has to be dispersed. The masked lady seems to know a lot more about them than everyone else, for certain. And then she summons... something big. "Ohhhh please say that is with us!" he remarks from in his bubble. It is soon answered that yes, it is. It answers with a water whip.

A nod to la Sirene. And he sure does seem perturbed! For multiple reasons, most of which stem from the reasoning of a kid his age. Such as 'this creature reminds him of an ice cream that was made to replace his favorite ice cream'. Sounds like elementary school logic.

THe bubble strategy works! The Orphan is drawn to him, and in a trade of blows, Steven comes out on top. A few quick breathes come as his Shield is summoned to him again, and slams it down on the ground to anchor it as tendrils come at him. He angles the shield and crouches, deflecting them away from the boy.

It takes him a second to return to his feet-- the boy seems winded rather quickly. Using his abilities seem to tax him. But even as it rampages and thrashes, the boy sees another tendril coming in, as everyone readies their devastating attacks to let the creature truly have it, with the announcement from Sailor Mercury of what it is.

A tuck and roll, and Steven is facing the creature. A tap of the inside of his shield with a finger causes the outside front to almost blur, or ripple. the Gem Child moves in to the way of the tendril to block on purpose, and on connecting, a pealing note rolls out from the shield, like thunder from an approaching storm.

It sounds and feels like someone struck a giant gong, though only where the shield is pointing is where it is truly felt. Right at the Orphan.
COMBAT: Steven Universe has used Reverb Shield on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Steven Universe has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi braces 14 Fatigue damage from Steven Universe's Reverb Shield, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi is unable to keep fighting! Mikoto Minagi's Block ability activates! Stagger applied to Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo is a bit happier with this third attack. At least until the beast starts to shriek, and charge, and then he's having a very hard time staying on top of it. There's a lot of flailing that happens, Endo wagging back and forth before he's thrown to the stones below.

""Yaa, this thing" At least this time the knight's landed mostly on his feet. Sailor Mercury gives her analysis, and Endo continues: "It's really too much!" How rude can a thing be?

But she's right, it's all about teamwork. And he's going to chip in too!

Triangular runes flare to life around his weapon, the sword beginning to burn with purple light as energy gathers around it. He focuses-and then he cuts. One sharp, horizontal slash. An arc of energy explodes outward in response, the arc of violet fire tearing through the market street and toward the leaping Orphan.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Meteor Storm on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Endo Naoki's Meteor Storm, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> La Sirene de l'Aurore [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

The creature leaps for her and la Sirene breathes out, closes her eyes, and leans back. Accepting her fate!?

No. Remember earlier. Remember when she was blown back by the earlier scream. She raises up her arms as if to embrace the great creature and she does suck in her gut just as the huge paw swipes down --

-- On the bench back, having secreted his lair, Batiste leaps up, sees the monster lunge for de l'Aurore, sees her fly backwards, and faints dead away. He topples back and lands in the purse, fortunately in a cushion... --

-- And then she backs off, away from the creature. Breathing heavily, glowing, la Sirene drifts in a wide spiral, feet rising up to her apparent maximum cruising altitude - perhaps a meter off the ground. She shifts one foot to avoid knocking over something on the counter of one of the few surviving stalls, and she loops round away from Cassandra's oceanic crescendo to say to her, "Do you remember what you said, my swan-maid friend?"

La Sirene looks towards the creature. She reaches up to smooth her hair -- where her hair pin is missing.

"I like it when these things are elegant," she explains, stretching out her right arm.

There is another one of those senses of a sound, this one more of a choral voice as the wispy light that trails behind her hair and her gown rises up into an aura around her, revealing perhaps that there was light there all along, simply too dim to see. La Sirene de l'Aurore illuminates, the telluric energy of this wounded yet beautiful world rising up through her - following the arc of her hand -

And discharging in a tremendous sheet of rippling, curtain-like light in every hue between pink and green and blue at once, the light itself swirling and rising up into the sky, casting a delightful glow over every antenna and stray electrical wire throughout half of the traditional district!

Other than that sense of a triumphant swell, half-heard in the distance, there is no sound... but for the Orphan, it might as well be a thunderbolt from the heavens!

For la Sirene's hairpin - with its seven sister diamonds, glossy black sparkles of fabulous accent - is currently tucked into the creature's fur, right behind its left ear.

And that is where this coronal discharge will go!

COMBAT: FINISHER! La Sirene de l'Aurore has used Saturday's Delight on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: La Sirene de l'Aurore has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace La Sirene de l'Aurore's Finisher, Saturday's Delight, taking 156 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Mikoto Minagi is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Sourisi [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Sourisi's agility has her flying over a snapping beast head and goes to town with her tonfa, thankfully not at all bothered by the tendrils thanks to Cassandra and her whip. And the taunts were more a bad habit she's picked up from another Miraculous user, the same with the puns. Unfortunately, she's flung off the Orphan as it shakes itself free of her, causing her to tumble to the ground and then it roars again! Why does it want to make this mouse think she's in a church bell? "I know you don't like my dieting tips, but you don't have to be so rude about it!"

The ringing finally stops and Sourisi can hear properly again...just in time to hear Cassandra's question about the Akuma. "Um, well they're people who's possessed by an evil Miraculous User and causes mischief, but they're still innocent people at the core. If they're using an item, that's usually what you need to destroy to break them out of his control!" See, totally different from Orphans...kinda.

But the mention of a snake devouring a mouse has the Miraculous Ninja looking around wildly around her, not sure if she missed some sort of giant ice cream viper. "What?! But i'm too cute to be eaten!" Completely missing the dating comment and something being the last thing on her mind, Sourisi finally spots the snake-...and realizes it's someone in a snake-themed costume.

Sourisi may have been in too much of a tunnel vision over the destruction of ice cream to realize there was another Miraculous User on the field besides Ladybug and Chat Noir.

"...ooh. Oh! Hey there!" Running over to Serpentina, this is one mouse who cheerfully runs up to the snake with a large smile on her face. Wait until Ladybug and Chat Noir hear about this! "I'm Sourisi, and glad to meet another defender of ice cream! Um...in case you were worried, this is a monster that isn't an Akuma Villain, it's just a 'magical construct of negative emotions.'"

This last part sounds like a well-heard quote and a bad impression rolled into one.

"So, that means to go wild! If you got any questions, i'll do my best to answer after we finish this Orphan thingy, okay?" Motioning back towards the Not-Nice Cream Panther, Sourisi gives Serpentina one of her brightest smiles. "Give it your best shot, and let's show the others how it's done! Whenever you're ready!"

Giving Serpentina a quick thumbs up, Sourisi waits for her signal before breaking out into a sprint to build up speed, then leaping up into the air. Clawed boots start to glow a bright red, a shining beacon of the end of this show. "Sorry, but I think you're past your expiration date! Primal Crazy Rodent!"

Sourisi hangs in the air for just a moment before launching diagonally downwards, a missile in the name of ice cream!
COMBAT: FINISHER! Sourisi has started a combo targeting Mikoto Minagi!

<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.

Cassandra's return-fire quip causes Serpentina Ruse to blush slightly, though she also grins a mischievous smile. Once Sourisi runs up to her, she'd also be able to see that grin. "Nice to meet you Sourisi. I'm Serpentina. And... that is really a relief to hear." The smile becomes more relieved and sincere. "I don't have to worry then."

Time for teamwork with another Miraculous user? Serpentina gives the thumbs-up right back, pointing the parasol one-handed at the ferocious feline. Bending down then kicking off with a twist, she turns into a whirling umbrella drill aimed in tangent with Sourisi at the poor kitty! "FINAL FANG!"

COMBAT: FINISHER! Fumiko Inoue has joined the combo started by Sourisi!
COMBAT: COMBO! FINISHER! Sourisi and Fumiko Inoue have used Combo: Miraculous Style: Yin & Yang, composed of Primal Crazy Rodent and Whirling Parasol Top, on Mikoto Minagi.
COMBAT: Sourisi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fumiko Inoue has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Mikoto Minagi fails to brace Sourisi and Fumiko Inoue's Finisher, Combo: Miraculous Style: Yin & Yang, taking 145 Fatigue damage! Mikoto Minagi is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Water surrounds the Orphan, pressing in like the abyss.

Does an Orphan breathe? Certainly it has nostrils, slit little things at the end of its textured snout. Does an Orphan have bones to break? Certainly it stands upright, as if it had some structure behind it. Does an Orphan feel pain?

Well - some questions lie still as deep water.

But the marble bursts and it is true, at least, that the Orphan crashes to the ground which it had balanced precariously above up 'til now, like a giraffe tumbling so many feet down to the earth. It cannot escape the thaw: Double Sabao Spray Freezing piles onto it where it has fallen, buffeting it without hope of recovery.

Perhaps this would be all there is to say on the subject of the monster, if not for the fact that Orphans are a thing difficult to kill by degrees. By the time the thousandth cut has reached it, it will have repaired the first five-hundred as if they never were. It staggers standing, and lashes out --

-- but Steven gets in the way. Its tendrils strike the roseate shield and it peals, with noise which makes the beast hesitate in its approach. Here Fallen Stern carves a gash through its thigh, deep and sure, and it finds itself sagging on three legs instead of four as it takes the moment to repair itself.

This is the direct nature of conflict resolution Cassandra asked for. But there is another side to the story, after all, and it begins with a pin too light to be noticed by an Orphan distracted by prey. Light sparkles in the distance and sound tremors far too close, and does an Orphan have tympanum to resonate with the noise? Certainly it thrashes under the colours, and that leg has not quite managed to resolve itself in the grip of the aurora.

In their combined assault there is brutality, and tactics, and defence of their friends. There is sheer strength and there is elegance, and...

There is friendship.

Together the Miraculous-users dive in, one on either side; Serpentina drills in, and Sourisi crashes down, and they impact at precisely the same moment.

Weakened by Cassandra's embrace, allowed no quarter by Sailor Mercury, rage diverted by Steven Universe, carved up by Endo, ensorcelled by la Sirene, and barraged by Sourisi and Serpentina, it is finally overwhelmed. All at once light floods and consumes it -- until only sparkles of light are left.

As the light sparkles away, the little girl gasps, creeping forward from where they had fled. "Mom, the temple did a dance! Did you see it?! They brought out the lion!" As the market-goers filter back in, the rumours spread like wildfire: Sensouji Temple had a surprise cultural showing, with astounding costume design. And perhaps it was a little more raucous than anyone was expecting, but wasn't it truly impressive?

It is quickly established that the girls and boys here were part of the show -- and everyone's so impressed, they'll find themselves offered a bevy of treats from the various stands!

[[Category:Logs]]

2018-12-08 - TIMELINE 1: Chatmobile: Sledding Edition

2018-12-09T23:01:20Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Chatmobile: Sledding Edition'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''A day of sledding with friends turns into an impromptu rescue mission that goes slightly off course.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Adrien Agreste]], [[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Hokkaido Snowy Island - Ski Course Kubota
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
12/8/2018 - 12/25/2018
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

*********************** Earth - Hokkaido Snowy Island ************************
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Ski Course Kubota +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Hokkaido's mountains have some of the thickest, driest powder anywhere, and
every winter they draw skiers from far and wide. This particular resort is
set into the high-altitude foothills of a majestically-ridged peak,
encrusted year-round with snow. Hardy alpine trees delineate the various
courses from one another, and Kubota offers a good variety thereof, from
bunny slopes to the black-coded expert slope. Oddly, the easiest slope and
the hardest slope are right next to each other. Red metal chairlifts offer
an easy way up to the top.

Beneath the slopes, thick evergreen forests permit hikers to explore the
mountain at a more meditative pace, with the particularly ambitious
utilizing snowshoes to range beyond the path. The resort is some distance
from civilization, requiring a bus to travel up desolate mountain roads, and
so exploring around it reveals a wealth of frozen lakes, shallow caves, and
winter fauna.

Kubota has a lucrative sponsorship with Olympic skier Saeko Yamamoto, who
often winters here while working as a celebrity ski instructor.

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien hadn't been sledding since he was little. He had clear memories of his mom laughing as Adiren
accidentally covered his father in snow as he reached the bottom. However, Adrien had a feeling
today would be a fun memory too. IT was cold, but not freezing to the point it hurt to be outside.
Just enough that it was brisk and kept the snow nice and soft to land in. There was no wind or a
storm cloud in the sky, Adrien couldn't have picked a better day to sled, and better yet to do it as
the resort where he could do it with two of his good friends.

Adrien laughed as he held up the black sled that had painted cat whiskered and handles that
resembled cat ears. "Alright, this sled can hold three people if we don't mind being a bit squished,
" he said as he set the sled on the ground. "So, we doing this as a trio or as a pair?"

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

A good afternoon's shopping and a good night's sleep managed to resurrect Marinette's enthusiasm for
the Great Outdoors. She's admittedly yawning a little bit, having been up fairly late with a sewing
kit, but she's got her backup boots on and a black scarf to go with her pink jacket. It's a
beautiful day, after all, and the Hokkaido adventure won't last forever.

The memories, on the other hand, will.

"...yeah, there's no way I'm forgetting this...construction, Agreste." Marinette gives Adrien a grin
as she does a walkaround of the cat-sled, eyebrow in an almost permanent quirk. "Was this the last
one left, or is this a rebellion like that time with the pizza parlor? It's just, this sled..."

Reminds her of Chat, a quiet little superheroine in the back of her head pipes up.

Slightly higher-pitched and higher-tempoed, she rapidly finishes. "Just not really what you tend to
bring to these sorts of things and maybe I'll just shut up now. Um. Niramo, what do you think? I
mean, I guess the three of us could all squish together..."

That'd be fine, right? Sledding with friends.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

A mended coat makes all the difference in the world when dealing with the frigid cold. Sure, there
was no replacement yet for her trusty scarf, but after everything that's happened, Niramo is just
happy to be able to leave the lodge without turning into an ice cube. "Thanks again, Marinette-chan.
You made it look so easy..."

Niramo tugs on her sleeve slightly and smiles as the stitches hold strong. If you looked closely
enough at the seams, you might be able to see a bit of red-spotted cloth sticking out, but you would
need to know where to look at to notice the repair. When you know exactly what you're doing,
repairing a coat must be easy!

Niramo tried her hand at sewing once, when her parents wern't home and the sewing machine was just
begging to be tried out.

How it froze solid in two stitches is a mystery that will never be solved.

The ski lift makes getting up the mountainside easy, and with how picturesque the day was, it is a
day begging to have fun. No one should stay behind when there's enough room. Maybe. They might need
to hold on tightly. "Well, I think if we all bunched on board, it should be enough. I might need to
go on the back since i'm the...lightest."

There's no way she's admitting she's short out loud. A growth spurt is bound to happen soon!

But Adrien's choice of sled is an interesting one, to say the least. Maybe he was a closet fanboy?
Or maybe...Niramo shakes her head, throwing off the thought. Who would be silly enough to try hiding
in plain sight? "Maybe Adrien-kun always wanted a sled, but...well, you heard how his dad is!" Now,
how were they all getting on board without breaking something?

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien blushes and laughs at the comments as he rubs the back of his neck. "Um..a combo? It was the
biggest one I could find, and honestly it was this or the dinosaur and believe me this one was the
more sensible of the two." He smirked slightly as he stood. "Also, might be a bit of rebellion. I
wanted to ensure he wouldn't try to send a photographer along to take photos of me." He points to
the sled. "Think of this as a sled if anything else."

That was the true reason, but Adrien couldn't deny there was a bit of super hero pride in the
choice too. If he had his way he would own a catmobile, but a sled would have to do.

Adrien adjusted his scarf and climbed to the front. "I'm assuming I'm the heaviest so I should sit
in the front which means," he look to Marinette "you should sit behind me right?" He shot a wink in
a friendly teasing matter. "Although if you rather sit in front I won't protest."

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

At the praise for sewing skills, Marinette flushes a bit. "I'm glad it's working out! Sorry it's not
more professional, I'm still trying to learn - I mean I'm not officially learning to be a
professional, that'd be a vocational school in a few years that I haven't gotten to-"

A gust of ice-cold wind jolts her out of her babble, and she slaps her own cheeks. "Anyway! I'm glad
it worked, Niramo-chan!"

She takes another look at the sled, stepping back to look at both him and his catmobile monstrosity
of a sled. A moment's thought, and then she flashes a grin. "Alas, your rebellion is at an end - for
a wild photographer has appeared!" In a blink, she's pulled out her cellphone, snapped a photo, and
flipped it back into her pocket-

-or she would have, if not for fumbling the phone entirely just as there's another gust of wind.
Marinette's luck being what it is, the phone is caught on the breeze, and winds up in a tumble back
down the hill. "My...my phone..."

She looks between Adrien and Niramo, friends that they are, and nods firmly before carefully
stepping over to the sled. "R-right! Behind you, in front of Niramo-chan, I'll be the sandwich
filling - er, I'll be in the middle! ...do you think we can catch my phone?"

A phone shouldn't be light enough to be floating away on the breeze, and yet...

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Laughter bursts from Niramo before she could restrain it to a giggle, and she just ends up shaking
her head at Marinette. "I'm not too worried about if the colors match or not, as long as the air
conditioning on my coat doesn't come on, i'll be happy. I guess that's a perk of not being big on
fashion?" As long as things are functional, that's all that matters in her books.

And this is the outlook she has after years of 'lessons' from Yuhira. Sometimes it's a question on
if she's even trying to stay with the trends...

Seeing what Marinette was up to, the short Juuban girl runs up to Adrien and sticks her hand behind
his back, giving him two bunny ears made out of fingers for the lens. There's always a way to sneak
those in if you're prepared for it. But alas, karma strikes back instantly at Marinette for the
sudden photo shoot, and now the evidence is going downhill!

Looking down the hill at the escaping phone, then back up at her friend, it takes a moment for her
to get her voice. "Marinette-chan, things always seem to snowball out of control with you..."

But all is not lost. After all, they have the means of catching up to that phone and-oh wow, it's
really going now. After Marinette climbs aboard Adrien's trusty catmobile, Niramo climbs on behind
her and holds onto her friend by the shoulder. "Adrien-kun, I think we have a goal. For the sake of
Marinette's phone bill and that poor innocent picture..." A finger is dramatically pointed down the
slope, and a energetic grin flashed at the lone boy of the group. "Go as fast as you can!"

Someone must have had some extra sugar for breakfast...

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien places a hand over his heart as Marinette takes out her photo. "No, how could you betray me,"
he starts to tease only to trail off as the phone falls from her hand and goes down the hill. Adrien
blinks. "Huh...you need a better lucky charm Marinette." He snickers at Niramo's pun. "Yes, lady
luck tends to act rather cold towards her at times doesn't it?"

Then the girls climb into the sled and Adrien grins widen as he climbs to the front. "Of course! We
must not let our target get away!" He pointed ahead as the sled gradually moved forward. "AFTER IT!"

He screams in delight as they rapidly gain speed and go down the hill. "Hang on tight, and Niramo I
think you're the best on to grab the phone! Get ready!"

The phone was within their sights...or was it. Did it get covered in snow and becoming a large
snowball?

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Although the bunny ears were making things so much better, a prank of pure betrayal has backfired,
and at the moment Marinette is realizing just how much things can go wrong for her. As Niramo climbs
behind her, she buries her face in her hands for a moment. "They do. They seriously do, Niramo-chan.
I swear, I can't be trusted to do anything ever, or I'll just wind up tripping and knocking over a
traffic sign that makes a truckful of-"

She's distracted, thankfully, by Adrien climbing on board - and abruptly she has that belated
teenage realization that she is a girl in very close company of a boy.

...and another girl. Does that make it less scandalous or more?

There's more important things to worry about than that, though, and she nods emphatically while
putting her arms around Adrien. The cat-sled is astonishingly fast, and there's a glimmer of hope
that they might be able to get the phone early - but then it bounces along the hill, picks up snow,
and the problems literally begin to snowball.

"Just what we need...Niramo, you're a lot less clumsy than me - just do your best!" Keeping one arm
around Adrien, she fumbles behind herself to grab onto Niramo - in the hopes that the lighter girl
won't be lost while trying to grab her snowphone. Please, please let this work...

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Eyes focusing on the phone tumbling down the hill shift to a friend's backside, and a smile fueled
by adrenaline shrinks down as Marinette begins to beat herself up. Both of Niramo's hands move to
grip around the stressed photographer and pull her in for a quick hug. "Marinette-chan, it's not
your fault, okay? Things just happened to work against you and now we're going to fix it. That's
what friends do, right? Like how you fixed my coat. Just have more faith in yourself, okay?" There's
no room for self-pity on this sleigh. Niramo is barely holding onto the back as it is!

Thoughts of saving a phone is more pre-occupifying than worries about what others might say about
two girls being with a single boy. This was more than just looking forward to hours speeding down
hills with cold winds making their cheeks rosy.

And despite how much she may have been mentality joking that the sleight was silly-looking, it's
more than fast enough to the task! Every bump of the hill as they speed downwards is breathtaking as
she momentarily loses contact with the sled, but Marinette's grip is strong enough to keep her on
board. "Alright! A little more to the left...a little more!"

And now for the crazy part. It's one thing of talking about saving a phone with a sled, but usually
things were not moving quite this fast. Leaning over the side of the catmobile, Niramo reaches out
for the tumbling phone-ball with one hand still holding onto Marinette's waist. The first attempt
only has her grabbing air, but the second has her wrapping her entire arm around the head-sized
snowball and bring it in close to her body. "Got it! Just--"

Another slight bump in the slope jostles Niramo while she's still leaning out, and now she's having
a bit more weight added to her, sending her downwards...and over.

And she's still holding tightly onto Marinette, who's holding onto Adrien...

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

"Hey, everyone has a bad day Marinette," Adrien said with a reassuring smile. "Besides, when you get
struck by it you never give up. It's one thing I like about you."

Adrien can't spend any more time discussing his thoughts as he has to concentrate on driving. All
things seem to be going well, Marinette clung to him while she held onto Niramo and Niramo had just
grabbed the phone....then the bump came.

Adrien yelped and tried to keep his hold but it was too much. They all tumbled out of the sled.

On instinct, Adrien tried to grab onto the two girls to shield them but he couldn't do much else
until finally they were at the bottom and a snow bank appeared.

He gave out a shout as they all tumbled straight into it.

Adrien cough up snow as he climbed out and frantically looked around. "Marinette! Niramo! You two
okay?" He never forgive himself if either of them had gotten hurt.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

There's reassuring words from her friends, and Marinette's face flushes again as she hangs her head.
"Thanks, both of you. I just...this always seems to happen, and it's not easy staying positive - but
I'll do my best to..." She looks up into the whipping wind, and abandons whatever motivational line
she had. "Mogul mogul MOGUL!"

It's a knuckle-whitening ride, and it's all Marinette can do to hold on - but it's exhilarating at
the same time. Even the panic of losing her phone pales before how much fun this is. Mind, it'd be a
lot more fun if not for the source of panic - and she doesn't have magical parkour abilities to back
her up right now.

(Nestled in a warm blanket beside a plateful of cookies in Marinette's room, Tikki sneezes.)

She beams as Niramo saves the day - and then they all hit that bump, and go flying. Into the air,
into the cold, into the beauty of the day...and into the snow.

When the snow has settled, and the Catmobile: Sled Version has finally slid to a stop somewhere, a
voice calls out from a mound of snow the size of a Volkswagen. "I think I'm okay...and I am fixing
everyone's coats when we get back to the lodge." A few sounds of digging, followed by another call
from the snow. "...Niramo-chan, if you somehow managed to save my phone in all this, I swear I will
learn how to sew a new coat and then I will make you one."

Still not visible, mind, but...Marinette is presumably okay.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

The snow settles on the snowbank, and both Adrien and Marinette have sounded off, but a few seconds
pass without word from their third friend. Just when it appears that something is terribly wrong, a
mittened hand breaks out of the snow a fair distance away from Adrien and waves around for attention.
A mittened hand holding a snow-plastered and surprisingly functional cell phone.

"I'm okay! Just tell the world to stop spinning, okay?"

The hand drops back down into the pile of snow, and a few seconds pass before its' owner pushes her
head out of the snow, covered with enough wet snow to make it look like she was trying to be a
snowman. Standing up takes Niramo a moment to steady herself, but she seems to be alright for the
most part, just a little dizzy. The same couldn't be said for her other mitten, likely buried in the
bank or lost on the slopes during the tumble.

Walking over to Adrien, Niramo rubs the back of her neck with her exposed hand in embarrasment and
lets out a sigh. "Sorry I pulled you and Marinette-chan down with me, Adrien-kun. I guess I should
have let go instead of making all of us fall off, huh?"

Looking towards the snow bank, Niramo carefully pockets the cell phone so as to not start another
snowball and gives a sheepish smile back over at Adrien. "I suppose we need to stop her from making
snow angels without us. And...thanks for trying to protect us. Really."

And now to find Marinette through all that snow, but it sounds like she was okay too! "Don't worry
about the coat, the one you fixed is good enough for me, Marinette-chan! Let's just reunite you with
your phone, okay? You're not an eskimo, so you shouldn't keep your money in the snow bank." Yet
another groan-worthy joke, but she must be still feeling herself.

2018-12-08 - TIMELINE 1: Chatmobile: Sledding Edition

2018-12-09T22:21:15Z

Blasktin:

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Chatmobile: Sledding Edition'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''A day of sledding with friends turns into an impromptu rescue mission that goes slightly off course.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Adrien Agreste]], [[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
<The location>
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
12/8/2018 - 12/25/2018
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

*********************** Earth - Hokkaido Snowy Island ************************
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Ski Course Kubota +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Hokkaido's mountains have some of the thickest, driest powder anywhere, and
every winter they draw skiers from far and wide. This particular resort is
set into the high-altitude foothills of a majestically-ridged peak,
encrusted year-round with snow. Hardy alpine trees delineate the various
courses from one another, and Kubota offers a good variety thereof, from
bunny slopes to the black-coded expert slope. Oddly, the easiest slope and
the hardest slope are right next to each other. Red metal chairlifts offer
an easy way up to the top.

Beneath the slopes, thick evergreen forests permit hikers to explore the
mountain at a more meditative pace, with the particularly ambitious
utilizing snowshoes to range beyond the path. The resort is some distance
from civilization, requiring a bus to travel up desolate mountain roads, and
so exploring around it reveals a wealth of frozen lakes, shallow caves, and
winter fauna.

Kubota has a lucrative sponsorship with Olympic skier Saeko Yamamoto, who
often winters here while working as a celebrity ski instructor.

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien hadn't been sledding since he was little. He had clear memories of his mom laughing as Adiren
accidentally covered his father in snow as he reached the bottom. However, Adrien had a feeling
today would be a fun memory too. IT was cold, but not freezing to the point it hurt to be outside.
Just enough that it was brisk and kept the snow nice and soft to land in. There was no wind or a
storm cloud in the sky, Adrien couldn't have picked a better day to sled, and better yet to do it as
the resort where he could do it with two of his good friends.

Adrien laughed as he held up the black sled that had painted cat whiskered and handles that
resembled cat ears. "Alright, this sled can hold three people if we don't mind being a bit squished,
" he said as he set the sled on the ground. "So, we doing this as a trio or as a pair?"

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

A good afternoon's shopping and a good night's sleep managed to resurrect Marinette's enthusiasm for
the Great Outdoors. She's admittedly yawning a little bit, having been up fairly late with a sewing
kit, but she's got her backup boots on and a black scarf to go with her pink jacket. It's a
beautiful day, after all, and the Hokkaido adventure won't last forever.

The memories, on the other hand, will.

"...yeah, there's no way I'm forgetting this...construction, Agreste." Marinette gives Adrien a grin
as she does a walkaround of the cat-sled, eyebrow in an almost permanent quirk. "Was this the last
one left, or is this a rebellion like that time with the pizza parlor? It's just, this sled..."

Reminds her of Chat, a quiet little superheroine in the back of her head pipes up.

Slightly higher-pitched and higher-tempoed, she rapidly finishes. "Just not really what you tend to
bring to these sorts of things and maybe I'll just shut up now. Um. Niramo, what do you think? I
mean, I guess the three of us could all squish together..."

That'd be fine, right? Sledding with friends.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

A mended coat makes all the difference in the world when dealing with the frigid cold. Sure, there
was no replacement yet for her trusty scarf, but after everything that's happened, Niramo is just
happy to be able to leave the lodge without turning into an ice cube. "Thanks again, Marinette-chan.
You made it look so easy..."

Niramo tugs on her sleeve slightly and smiles as the stitches hold strong. If you looked closely
enough at the seams, you might be able to see a bit of red-spotted cloth sticking out, but you would
need to know where to look at to notice the repair. When you know exactly what you're doing,
repairing a coat must be easy!

Niramo tried her hand at sewing once, when her parents wern't home and the sewing machine was just
begging to be tried out.

How it froze solid in two stitches is a mystery that will never be solved.

The ski lift makes getting up the mountainside easy, and with how picturesque the day was, it is a
day begging to have fun. No one should stay behind when there's enough room. Maybe. They might need
to hold on tightly. "Well, I think if we all bunched on board, it should be enough. I might need to
go on the back since i'm the...lightest."

There's no way she's admitting she's short out loud. A growth spurt is bound to happen soon!

But Adrien's choice of sled is an interesting one, to say the least. Maybe he was a closet fanboy?
Or maybe...Niramo shakes her head, throwing off the thought. Who would be silly enough to try hiding
in plain sight? "Maybe Adrien-kun always wanted a sled, but...well, you heard how his dad is!" Now,
how were they all getting on board without breaking something?

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien blushes and laughs at the comments as he rubs the back of his neck. "Um..a combo? It was the
biggest one I could find, and honestly it was this or the dinosaur and believe me this one was the
more sensible of the two." He smirked slightly as he stood. "Also, might be a bit of rebellion. I
wanted to ensure he wouldn't try to send a photographer along to take photos of me." He points to
the sled. "Think of this as a sled if anything else."

That was the true reason, but Adrien couldn't deny there was a bit of super hero pride in the
choice too. If he had his way he would own a catmobile, but a sled would have to do.

Adrien adjusted his scarf and climbed to the front. "I'm assuming I'm the heaviest so I should sit
in the front which means," he look to Marinette "you should sit behind me right?" He shot a wink in
a friendly teasing matter. "Although if you rather sit in front I won't protest."

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

At the praise for sewing skills, Marinette flushes a bit. "I'm glad it's working out! Sorry it's not
more professional, I'm still trying to learn - I mean I'm not officially learning to be a
professional, that'd be a vocational school in a few years that I haven't gotten to-"

A gust of ice-cold wind jolts her out of her babble, and she slaps her own cheeks. "Anyway! I'm glad
it worked, Niramo-chan!"

She takes another look at the sled, stepping back to look at both him and his catmobile monstrosity
of a sled. A moment's thought, and then she flashes a grin. "Alas, your rebellion is at an end - for
a wild photographer has appeared!" In a blink, she's pulled out her cellphone, snapped a photo, and
flipped it back into her pocket-

-or she would have, if not for fumbling the phone entirely just as there's another gust of wind.
Marinette's luck being what it is, the phone is caught on the breeze, and winds up in a tumble back
down the hill. "My...my phone..."

She looks between Adrien and Niramo, friends that they are, and nods firmly before carefully
stepping over to the sled. "R-right! Behind you, in front of Niramo-chan, I'll be the sandwich
filling - er, I'll be in the middle! ...do you think we can catch my phone?"

A phone shouldn't be light enough to be floating away on the breeze, and yet...

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Laughter bursts from Niramo before she could restrain it to a giggle, and she just ends up shaking
her head at Marinette. "I'm not too worried about if the colors match or not, as long as the air
conditioning on my coat doesn't come on, i'll be happy. I guess that's a perk of not being big on
fashion?" As long as things are functional, that's all that matters in her books.

And this is the outlook she has after years of 'lessons' from Yuhira. Sometimes it's a question on
if she's even trying to stay with the trends...

Seeing what Marinette was up to, the short Juuban girl runs up to Adrien and sticks her hand behind
his back, giving him two bunny ears made out of fingers for the lens. There's always a way to sneak
those in if you're prepared for it. But alas, karma strikes back instantly at Marinette for the
sudden photo shoot, and now the evidence is going downhill!

Looking down the hill at the escaping phone, then back up at her friend, it takes a moment for her
to get her voice. "Marinette-chan, things always seem to snowball out of control with you..."

But all is not lost. After all, they have the means of catching up to that phone and-oh wow, it's
really going now. After Marinette climbs aboard Adrien's trusty catmobile, Niramo climbs on behind
her and holds onto her friend by the shoulder. "Adrien-kun, I think we have a goal. For the sake of
Marinette's phone bill and that poor innocent picture..." A finger is dramatically pointed down the
slope, and a energetic grin flashed at the lone boy of the group. "Go as fast as you can!"

Someone must have had some extra sugar for breakfast...

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien places a hand over his heart as Marinette takes out her photo. "No, how could you betray me,"
he starts to tease only to trail off as the phone falls from her hand and goes down the hill. Adrien
blinks. "Huh...you need a better lucky charm Marinette." He snickers at Niramo's pun. "Yes, lady
luck tends to act rather cold towards her at times doesn't it?"

Then the girls climb into the sled and Adrien grins widen as he climbs to the front. "Of course! We
must not let our target get away!" He pointed ahead as the sled gradually moved forward. "AFTER IT!"

He screams in delight as they rapidly gain speed and go down the hill. "Hang on tight, and Niramo I
think you're the best on to grab the phone! Get ready!"

The phone was within their sights...or was it. Did it get covered in snow and becoming a large
snowball?

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Although the bunny ears were making things so much better, a prank of pure betrayal has backfired,
and at the moment Marinette is realizing just how much things can go wrong for her. As Niramo climbs
behind her, she buries her face in her hands for a moment. "They do. They seriously do, Niramo-chan.
I swear, I can't be trusted to do anything ever, or I'll just wind up tripping and knocking over a
traffic sign that makes a truckful of-"

She's distracted, thankfully, by Adrien climbing on board - and abruptly she has that belated
teenage realization that she is a girl in very close company of a boy.

...and another girl. Does that make it less scandalous or more?

There's more important things to worry about than that, though, and she nods emphatically while
putting her arms around Adrien. The cat-sled is astonishingly fast, and there's a glimmer of hope
that they might be able to get the phone early - but then it bounces along the hill, picks up snow,
and the problems literally begin to snowball.

"Just what we need...Niramo, you're a lot less clumsy than me - just do your best!" Keeping one arm
around Adrien, she fumbles behind herself to grab onto Niramo - in the hopes that the lighter girl
won't be lost while trying to grab her snowphone. Please, please let this work...

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Eyes focusing on the phone tumbling down the hill shift to a friend's backside, and a smile fueled
by adrenaline shrinks down as Marinette begins to beat herself up. Both of Niramo's hands move to
grip around the stressed photographer and pull her in for a quick hug. "Marinette-chan, it's not
your fault, okay? Things just happened to work against you and now we're going to fix it. That's
what friends do, right? Like how you fixed my coat. Just have more faith in yourself, okay?" There's
no room for self-pity on this sleigh. Niramo is barely holding onto the back as it is!

Thoughts of saving a phone is more pre-occupifying than worries about what others might say about
two girls being with a single boy. This was more than just looking forward to hours speeding down
hills with cold winds making their cheeks rosy.

And despite how much she may have been mentality joking that the sleight was silly-looking, it's
more than fast enough to the task! Every bump of the hill as they speed downwards is breathtaking as
she momentarily loses contact with the sled, but Marinette's grip is strong enough to keep her on
board. "Alright! A little more to the left...a little more!"

And now for the crazy part. It's one thing of talking about saving a phone with a sled, but usually
things were not moving quite this fast. Leaning over the side of the catmobile, Niramo reaches out
for the tumbling phone-ball with one hand still holding onto Marinette's waist. The first attempt
only has her grabbing air, but the second has her wrapping her entire arm around the head-sized
snowball and bring it in close to her body. "Got it! Just--"

Another slight bump in the slope jostles Niramo while she's still leaning out, and now she's having
a bit more weight added to her, sending her downwards...and over.

And she's still holding tightly onto Marinette, who's holding onto Adrien...

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

"Hey, everyone has a bad day Marinette," Adrien said with a reassuring smile. "Besides, when you get
struck by it you never give up. It's one thing I like about you."

Adrien can't spend any more time discussing his thoughts as he has to concentrate on driving. All
things seem to be going well, Marinette clung to him while she held onto Niramo and Niramo had just
grabbed the phone....then the bump came.

Adrien yelped and tried to keep his hold but it was too much. They all tumbled out of the sled.

On instinct, Adrien tried to grab onto the two girls to shield them but he couldn't do much else
until finally they were at the bottom and a snow bank appeared.

He gave out a shout as they all tumbled straight into it.

Adrien cough up snow as he climbed out and frantically looked around. "Marinette! Niramo! You two
okay?" He never forgive himself if either of them had gotten hurt.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

There's reassuring words from her friends, and Marinette's face flushes again as she hangs her head.
"Thanks, both of you. I just...this always seems to happen, and it's not easy staying positive - but
I'll do my best to..." She looks up into the whipping wind, and abandons whatever motivational line
she had. "Mogul mogul MOGUL!"

It's a knuckle-whitening ride, and it's all Marinette can do to hold on - but it's exhilarating at
the same time. Even the panic of losing her phone pales before how much fun this is. Mind, it'd be a
lot more fun if not for the source of panic - and she doesn't have magical parkour abilities to back
her up right now.

(Nestled in a warm blanket beside a plateful of cookies in Marinette's room, Tikki sneezes.)

She beams as Niramo saves the day - and then they all hit that bump, and go flying. Into the air,
into the cold, into the beauty of the day...and into the snow.

When the snow has settled, and the Catmobile: Sled Version has finally slid to a stop somewhere, a
voice calls out from a mound of snow the size of a Volkswagen. "I think I'm okay...and I am fixing
everyone's coats when we get back to the lodge." A few sounds of digging, followed by another call
from the snow. "...Niramo-chan, if you somehow managed to save my phone in all this, I swear I will
learn how to sew a new coat and then I will make you one."

Still not visible, mind, but...Marinette is presumably okay.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

The snow settles on the snowbank, and both Adrien and Marinette have sounded off, but a few seconds
pass without word from their third friend. Just when it appears that something is terribly wrong, a
mittened hand breaks out of the snow a fair distance away from Adrien and waves around for attention.
A mittened hand holding a snow-plastered and surprisingly functional cell phone.

"I'm okay! Just tell the world to stop spinning, okay?"

The hand drops back down into the pile of snow, and a few seconds pass before its' owner pushes her
head out of the snow, covered with enough wet snow to make it look like she was trying to be a
snowman. Standing up takes Niramo a moment to steady herself, but she seems to be alright for the
most part, just a little dizzy. The same couldn't be said for her other mitten, likely buried in the
bank or lost on the slopes during the tumble.

Walking over to Adrien, Niramo rubs the back of her neck with her exposed hand in embarrasment and
lets out a sigh. "Sorry I pulled you and Marinette-chan down with me, Adrien-kun. I guess I should
have let go instead of making all of us fall off, huh?"

Looking towards the snow bank, Niramo carefully pockets the cell phone so as to not start another
snowball and gives a sheepish smile back over at Adrien. "I suppose we need to stop her from making
snow angels without us. And...thanks for trying to protect us. Really."

And now to find Marinette through all that snow, but it sounds like she was okay too! "Don't worry
about the coat, the one you fixed is good enough for me, Marinette-chan! Let's just reunite you with
your phone, okay? You're not an eskimo, so you shouldn't keep your money in the snow bank." Yet
another groan-worthy joke, but she must be still feeling herself.

2018-12-08 - TIMELINE 1: Chatmobile: Sledding Edition

2018-12-09T22:21:04Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Chatmobile: Sledding Edition'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''A day of sledding with friends turns into an impromptu rescue mission that goes slightly off course.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
<[[Adrien Agreste]], [[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]>
|-
| '''Where:''' 
<The location>
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
12/8/2018 - 12/25/2018
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

*********************** Earth - Hokkaido Snowy Island ************************
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Ski Course Kubota +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Hokkaido's mountains have some of the thickest, driest powder anywhere, and
every winter they draw skiers from far and wide. This particular resort is
set into the high-altitude foothills of a majestically-ridged peak,
encrusted year-round with snow. Hardy alpine trees delineate the various
courses from one another, and Kubota offers a good variety thereof, from
bunny slopes to the black-coded expert slope. Oddly, the easiest slope and
the hardest slope are right next to each other. Red metal chairlifts offer
an easy way up to the top.

Beneath the slopes, thick evergreen forests permit hikers to explore the
mountain at a more meditative pace, with the particularly ambitious
utilizing snowshoes to range beyond the path. The resort is some distance
from civilization, requiring a bus to travel up desolate mountain roads, and
so exploring around it reveals a wealth of frozen lakes, shallow caves, and
winter fauna.

Kubota has a lucrative sponsorship with Olympic skier Saeko Yamamoto, who
often winters here while working as a celebrity ski instructor.

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien hadn't been sledding since he was little. He had clear memories of his mom laughing as Adiren
accidentally covered his father in snow as he reached the bottom. However, Adrien had a feeling
today would be a fun memory too. IT was cold, but not freezing to the point it hurt to be outside.
Just enough that it was brisk and kept the snow nice and soft to land in. There was no wind or a
storm cloud in the sky, Adrien couldn't have picked a better day to sled, and better yet to do it as
the resort where he could do it with two of his good friends.

Adrien laughed as he held up the black sled that had painted cat whiskered and handles that
resembled cat ears. "Alright, this sled can hold three people if we don't mind being a bit squished,
" he said as he set the sled on the ground. "So, we doing this as a trio or as a pair?"

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

A good afternoon's shopping and a good night's sleep managed to resurrect Marinette's enthusiasm for
the Great Outdoors. She's admittedly yawning a little bit, having been up fairly late with a sewing
kit, but she's got her backup boots on and a black scarf to go with her pink jacket. It's a
beautiful day, after all, and the Hokkaido adventure won't last forever.

The memories, on the other hand, will.

"...yeah, there's no way I'm forgetting this...construction, Agreste." Marinette gives Adrien a grin
as she does a walkaround of the cat-sled, eyebrow in an almost permanent quirk. "Was this the last
one left, or is this a rebellion like that time with the pizza parlor? It's just, this sled..."

Reminds her of Chat, a quiet little superheroine in the back of her head pipes up.

Slightly higher-pitched and higher-tempoed, she rapidly finishes. "Just not really what you tend to
bring to these sorts of things and maybe I'll just shut up now. Um. Niramo, what do you think? I
mean, I guess the three of us could all squish together..."

That'd be fine, right? Sledding with friends.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

A mended coat makes all the difference in the world when dealing with the frigid cold. Sure, there
was no replacement yet for her trusty scarf, but after everything that's happened, Niramo is just
happy to be able to leave the lodge without turning into an ice cube. "Thanks again, Marinette-chan.
You made it look so easy..."

Niramo tugs on her sleeve slightly and smiles as the stitches hold strong. If you looked closely
enough at the seams, you might be able to see a bit of red-spotted cloth sticking out, but you would
need to know where to look at to notice the repair. When you know exactly what you're doing,
repairing a coat must be easy!

Niramo tried her hand at sewing once, when her parents wern't home and the sewing machine was just
begging to be tried out.

How it froze solid in two stitches is a mystery that will never be solved.

The ski lift makes getting up the mountainside easy, and with how picturesque the day was, it is a
day begging to have fun. No one should stay behind when there's enough room. Maybe. They might need
to hold on tightly. "Well, I think if we all bunched on board, it should be enough. I might need to
go on the back since i'm the...lightest."

There's no way she's admitting she's short out loud. A growth spurt is bound to happen soon!

But Adrien's choice of sled is an interesting one, to say the least. Maybe he was a closet fanboy?
Or maybe...Niramo shakes her head, throwing off the thought. Who would be silly enough to try hiding
in plain sight? "Maybe Adrien-kun always wanted a sled, but...well, you heard how his dad is!" Now,
how were they all getting on board without breaking something?

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien blushes and laughs at the comments as he rubs the back of his neck. "Um..a combo? It was the
biggest one I could find, and honestly it was this or the dinosaur and believe me this one was the
more sensible of the two." He smirked slightly as he stood. "Also, might be a bit of rebellion. I
wanted to ensure he wouldn't try to send a photographer along to take photos of me." He points to
the sled. "Think of this as a sled if anything else."

That was the true reason, but Adrien couldn't deny there was a bit of super hero pride in the
choice too. If he had his way he would own a catmobile, but a sled would have to do.

Adrien adjusted his scarf and climbed to the front. "I'm assuming I'm the heaviest so I should sit
in the front which means," he look to Marinette "you should sit behind me right?" He shot a wink in
a friendly teasing matter. "Although if you rather sit in front I won't protest."

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

At the praise for sewing skills, Marinette flushes a bit. "I'm glad it's working out! Sorry it's not
more professional, I'm still trying to learn - I mean I'm not officially learning to be a
professional, that'd be a vocational school in a few years that I haven't gotten to-"

A gust of ice-cold wind jolts her out of her babble, and she slaps her own cheeks. "Anyway! I'm glad
it worked, Niramo-chan!"

She takes another look at the sled, stepping back to look at both him and his catmobile monstrosity
of a sled. A moment's thought, and then she flashes a grin. "Alas, your rebellion is at an end - for
a wild photographer has appeared!" In a blink, she's pulled out her cellphone, snapped a photo, and
flipped it back into her pocket-

-or she would have, if not for fumbling the phone entirely just as there's another gust of wind.
Marinette's luck being what it is, the phone is caught on the breeze, and winds up in a tumble back
down the hill. "My...my phone..."

She looks between Adrien and Niramo, friends that they are, and nods firmly before carefully
stepping over to the sled. "R-right! Behind you, in front of Niramo-chan, I'll be the sandwich
filling - er, I'll be in the middle! ...do you think we can catch my phone?"

A phone shouldn't be light enough to be floating away on the breeze, and yet...

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Laughter bursts from Niramo before she could restrain it to a giggle, and she just ends up shaking
her head at Marinette. "I'm not too worried about if the colors match or not, as long as the air
conditioning on my coat doesn't come on, i'll be happy. I guess that's a perk of not being big on
fashion?" As long as things are functional, that's all that matters in her books.

And this is the outlook she has after years of 'lessons' from Yuhira. Sometimes it's a question on
if she's even trying to stay with the trends...

Seeing what Marinette was up to, the short Juuban girl runs up to Adrien and sticks her hand behind
his back, giving him two bunny ears made out of fingers for the lens. There's always a way to sneak
those in if you're prepared for it. But alas, karma strikes back instantly at Marinette for the
sudden photo shoot, and now the evidence is going downhill!

Looking down the hill at the escaping phone, then back up at her friend, it takes a moment for her
to get her voice. "Marinette-chan, things always seem to snowball out of control with you..."

But all is not lost. After all, they have the means of catching up to that phone and-oh wow, it's
really going now. After Marinette climbs aboard Adrien's trusty catmobile, Niramo climbs on behind
her and holds onto her friend by the shoulder. "Adrien-kun, I think we have a goal. For the sake of
Marinette's phone bill and that poor innocent picture..." A finger is dramatically pointed down the
slope, and a energetic grin flashed at the lone boy of the group. "Go as fast as you can!"

Someone must have had some extra sugar for breakfast...

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Adrien places a hand over his heart as Marinette takes out her photo. "No, how could you betray me,"
he starts to tease only to trail off as the phone falls from her hand and goes down the hill. Adrien
blinks. "Huh...you need a better lucky charm Marinette." He snickers at Niramo's pun. "Yes, lady
luck tends to act rather cold towards her at times doesn't it?"

Then the girls climb into the sled and Adrien grins widen as he climbs to the front. "Of course! We
must not let our target get away!" He pointed ahead as the sled gradually moved forward. "AFTER IT!"

He screams in delight as they rapidly gain speed and go down the hill. "Hang on tight, and Niramo I
think you're the best on to grab the phone! Get ready!"

The phone was within their sights...or was it. Did it get covered in snow and becoming a large
snowball?

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Although the bunny ears were making things so much better, a prank of pure betrayal has backfired,
and at the moment Marinette is realizing just how much things can go wrong for her. As Niramo climbs
behind her, she buries her face in her hands for a moment. "They do. They seriously do, Niramo-chan.
I swear, I can't be trusted to do anything ever, or I'll just wind up tripping and knocking over a
traffic sign that makes a truckful of-"

She's distracted, thankfully, by Adrien climbing on board - and abruptly she has that belated
teenage realization that she is a girl in very close company of a boy.

...and another girl. Does that make it less scandalous or more?

There's more important things to worry about than that, though, and she nods emphatically while
putting her arms around Adrien. The cat-sled is astonishingly fast, and there's a glimmer of hope
that they might be able to get the phone early - but then it bounces along the hill, picks up snow,
and the problems literally begin to snowball.

"Just what we need...Niramo, you're a lot less clumsy than me - just do your best!" Keeping one arm
around Adrien, she fumbles behind herself to grab onto Niramo - in the hopes that the lighter girl
won't be lost while trying to grab her snowphone. Please, please let this work...

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Eyes focusing on the phone tumbling down the hill shift to a friend's backside, and a smile fueled
by adrenaline shrinks down as Marinette begins to beat herself up. Both of Niramo's hands move to
grip around the stressed photographer and pull her in for a quick hug. "Marinette-chan, it's not
your fault, okay? Things just happened to work against you and now we're going to fix it. That's
what friends do, right? Like how you fixed my coat. Just have more faith in yourself, okay?" There's
no room for self-pity on this sleigh. Niramo is barely holding onto the back as it is!

Thoughts of saving a phone is more pre-occupifying than worries about what others might say about
two girls being with a single boy. This was more than just looking forward to hours speeding down
hills with cold winds making their cheeks rosy.

And despite how much she may have been mentality joking that the sleight was silly-looking, it's
more than fast enough to the task! Every bump of the hill as they speed downwards is breathtaking as
she momentarily loses contact with the sled, but Marinette's grip is strong enough to keep her on
board. "Alright! A little more to the left...a little more!"

And now for the crazy part. It's one thing of talking about saving a phone with a sled, but usually
things were not moving quite this fast. Leaning over the side of the catmobile, Niramo reaches out
for the tumbling phone-ball with one hand still holding onto Marinette's waist. The first attempt
only has her grabbing air, but the second has her wrapping her entire arm around the head-sized
snowball and bring it in close to her body. "Got it! Just--"

Another slight bump in the slope jostles Niramo while she's still leaning out, and now she's having
a bit more weight added to her, sending her downwards...and over.

And she's still holding tightly onto Marinette, who's holding onto Adrien...

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

"Hey, everyone has a bad day Marinette," Adrien said with a reassuring smile. "Besides, when you get
struck by it you never give up. It's one thing I like about you."

Adrien can't spend any more time discussing his thoughts as he has to concentrate on driving. All
things seem to be going well, Marinette clung to him while she held onto Niramo and Niramo had just
grabbed the phone....then the bump came.

Adrien yelped and tried to keep his hold but it was too much. They all tumbled out of the sled.

On instinct, Adrien tried to grab onto the two girls to shield them but he couldn't do much else
until finally they were at the bottom and a snow bank appeared.

He gave out a shout as they all tumbled straight into it.

Adrien cough up snow as he climbed out and frantically looked around. "Marinette! Niramo! You two
okay?" He never forgive himself if either of them had gotten hurt.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

There's reassuring words from her friends, and Marinette's face flushes again as she hangs her head.
"Thanks, both of you. I just...this always seems to happen, and it's not easy staying positive - but
I'll do my best to..." She looks up into the whipping wind, and abandons whatever motivational line
she had. "Mogul mogul MOGUL!"

It's a knuckle-whitening ride, and it's all Marinette can do to hold on - but it's exhilarating at
the same time. Even the panic of losing her phone pales before how much fun this is. Mind, it'd be a
lot more fun if not for the source of panic - and she doesn't have magical parkour abilities to back
her up right now.

(Nestled in a warm blanket beside a plateful of cookies in Marinette's room, Tikki sneezes.)

She beams as Niramo saves the day - and then they all hit that bump, and go flying. Into the air,
into the cold, into the beauty of the day...and into the snow.

When the snow has settled, and the Catmobile: Sled Version has finally slid to a stop somewhere, a
voice calls out from a mound of snow the size of a Volkswagen. "I think I'm okay...and I am fixing
everyone's coats when we get back to the lodge." A few sounds of digging, followed by another call
from the snow. "...Niramo-chan, if you somehow managed to save my phone in all this, I swear I will
learn how to sew a new coat and then I will make you one."

Still not visible, mind, but...Marinette is presumably okay.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

The snow settles on the snowbank, and both Adrien and Marinette have sounded off, but a few seconds
pass without word from their third friend. Just when it appears that something is terribly wrong, a
mittened hand breaks out of the snow a fair distance away from Adrien and waves around for attention.
A mittened hand holding a snow-plastered and surprisingly functional cell phone.

"I'm okay! Just tell the world to stop spinning, okay?"

The hand drops back down into the pile of snow, and a few seconds pass before its' owner pushes her
head out of the snow, covered with enough wet snow to make it look like she was trying to be a
snowman. Standing up takes Niramo a moment to steady herself, but she seems to be alright for the
most part, just a little dizzy. The same couldn't be said for her other mitten, likely buried in the
bank or lost on the slopes during the tumble.

Walking over to Adrien, Niramo rubs the back of her neck with her exposed hand in embarrasment and
lets out a sigh. "Sorry I pulled you and Marinette-chan down with me, Adrien-kun. I guess I should
have let go instead of making all of us fall off, huh?"

Looking towards the snow bank, Niramo carefully pockets the cell phone so as to not start another
snowball and gives a sheepish smile back over at Adrien. "I suppose we need to stop her from making
snow angels without us. And...thanks for trying to protect us. Really."

And now to find Marinette through all that snow, but it sounds like she was okay too! "Don't worry
about the coat, the one you fixed is good enough for me, Marinette-chan! Let's just reunite you with
your phone, okay? You're not an eskimo, so you shouldn't keep your money in the snow bank." Yet
another groan-worthy joke, but she must be still feeling herself.

2018-12-05 - TIMELINE 1: Coffee, Macarons and Noodle Incidents

2018-12-06T03:58:08Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: TIMELINE 1: Coffee, Macarons and Noodle Incidents'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Perhaps ice skating wasn't the brightest idea they could have done, but two friends move past their embarrassment and bond over new plans.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Niramo Umokeshi]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Sapporo Winter City
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
12/05/2018 - 12/24/2018
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

.*********************** Earth - Hokkaido Snowy Island ************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Sapporo Winter City +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The largest city in Hokkaido, Sapporo played an important role in
introducing Japan to the world at a key point in its history, when it hosted
the 1972 Winter Olympics. This event helped solidify an already strong
association with winter, and Sapporo's famous Snow Festival, celebrated
every February in Odori Park, invites winter into the city itself, which
transforms its parks and streets into a frosty world of ice palaces and
sculpture.

A dense city with relatively low buildings, Sapporo has a strong service and
tourism industry, and visitors can avail themselves of numerous fine hotels,
performance venues, and restaurants. The latter specialize in fresh seafood
(particularly crab) and gourmet ramen, not to mention Sapporo-brand beer,
whose breweries are located in the area. One such brewery has been turned
into a shopping mall, and others can be visited for tours. When the trip is
over and it's time to return to warmer climes, many visitors bring back a
box or two of local "white sweetheart" chocolate for friends and family.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Sapporo is practically sparkling in the midday light of Christmas Eve. The day of romance is just
around the corner, and the countless students of the Sister Schools seem determined to enact one
hairbrained scheme after another. The city is busy, and making bank on tourist trappings.

Still, even with the crowds it's a beautiful place. Even outside the Ice Palace, the winter
decorations are glistening on every corner, and many a shop has its doors open to those willing to
browse. There's fashion on display, just ripe for review; there's a hundred and one little ramen
shops, selling hot meals on a day that certainly warrants them; the cafes are even busier, home to
coffee and chocolate both. It's a beautiful place.

Perhaps wishing she could be more enthusiastic, Marinette nurses a cafe au lait. Not quite to her
standard, but it's hot and familiar enough to take the edge off of a...frustrating morning.
Testament to her recent adventures are a pair of skates next to her; one recently doffed, the other
strangely packed with ice. The girl herself has taken off her scarf and coat, with a cursory effort
made to shake the snow off of them...but to sadly little avail.

Warmth and time, that's what it'll take, and she gazes into her coffee a moment longer, warming her
hands on the cup. Another sip? Not yet; there's something much more important to do. Looking up,
with snow still plastered around the collar of her shirt, red-faced from the chill, she speaks.

"Niramo-chan. I am so, so sorry. It just - " She gestures at the air frantically. "Those swans - and
then that poor man selling pineapple-flavoured snow cones - and everything with the toboggan - I
swear, I didn't mean for any of that to happen!"

There's a sad drip, as a chunk of ice melts itself off of her scarf beside her.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Sapporo isn't nearly as big as Tokyo, despite being the capital of Hokkaido and the biggest source
of civilization on the island. But after days of skiing, snowball fights and walks through the woods,
it is an oasis for those who have lived in cities for much of their life. After all, there's only so
much you can enjoy nature before you start to miss a strong signal on a cell phone.

When Niramo had mentioned trying to learn how to ice skate to Marinette and to check out what
Sapporo has to offer so close to the holidays, it seemed like such a great idea! Making fools of
themselves as they attempted to balance on thin blades, see the latest fashions that have taken root
in northern Japan, perhaps track down a old game and top it all off with glorious hot chocolate. And
maybe some freshly-polished experience with skiing will allow Niramo to help out her friend?

That last thought was so untrue, it's not even funny.

Sitting across from Marinette in a small cafe and with a large triple hot chocolate, Niramo wasn't
looking like her usual self. Sure, she's still smilling cheerfully and her cheeks rosy from the cold,
but there's a few things just slightly off. Her large green scarf was missing, and a sleeve of her
poofy red jacket has a sleeve hanging on by only half a dozen threads. Those raven locks of hers
also looked rather interesting with a half-melted layer of ice giving Niramo an interesting
hairstyle, and was stubbornly resisting all efforts to melt completely.

At least hot chocolate always makes things better, despite the odds!

Marinette was trying to hard to shift all the blame to herself, and there was no way Niramo was
going to let her friend take all the blame. After all, two can play the blame game! "I know it
wasn't, Marinette-chan, and...it's not like I really helped all that much." Those cheeks turn a
shade pinker with something besides the cold as the Juuban girl stares down into her chocolate. "I
mean, there was those carolers...and the light display. And my scarf didn't really help matters
either..."

Breaking out into an embarrased giggle that was quieted with a sip of just-too-warm manna of the
gods, Niramo looks up at Marinette and tries her best to flash a comforting smile. "Besides, I think
that snow flake looks better as an ice bank!"

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

"That poor, poor scarf...it didn't deserve any of what we did to it." Despite the mourning,
Marinette can't help but giggle when Niramo does, and sheepishly answers the smile. Relieved of at
least one iota of guilt, she takes a sip from her Cafe Au Lait - and then makes a face.

"...I know I told my mother I'd be fine on this trip, but I'm really missing her coffee right now.
And her macarons, they'd be a nice treat right now." She lets out a sigh. "Abstract art aside - and
I'm with you on that disaster looking a little better than what it was made to be - I do feel bad
things went all..." Another flailing, looking for the right word. "Poofy."

Her eyes flicker to Niramo's sleeve, and she frowns for a moment. "We both know your poor scarf
can't be saved..." She glances outside, at where flashing lights seem to illuminate the street. "...
but I did bring my sewing kit. I think I can patch that sleeve when we get back to the hotel!
Probably. After checking out the shops, assuming you're still in the mood for that?"

There's a sudden rush of cold as the doors open to admit a few more would-be adventurers, seeking
warmth and hot drinks - but it's just that sudden frigidity to remind everyone that this is Hokkaido
and it's still winter outside.

With a shiver, Marinette takes another sip from her coffee. "...or, you know, we could just stay
here until we run out of money for more hot chocolate."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Inwardly cheering at seeing Marinette break out of her pity party, Niramo manages to stop herself
from breaking into a wider grin. While she will miss her scarf, it can always be replaced. Helping
someone who needs a little cheering up with worth the price, and when it's a good friend like
Marinette, it just makes it better once they can smile again.

Maybe she can get a new one after Christmas? There was always after holiday sales if you know where
to look!

Coffee wasn't exactly something the short ravenette enjoyed, but Sabine had quite a way of doctoring
up even the most bitter of coffee and making it tolerable. It's not just the taste that Marinette
must be missing, but the love and care that goes into it as well. Maybe Niramo isn't the only one a
little homesick, even if her parents are not usually able to spend time with her. "I might not be
the best when it comes to cooking rice, but if you want some homemade macarons, do you want to try
looking for some ingrediants before we head back? Maybe one of the teachers will let me use their
kitchenette if I offered a few cookies as well?" A hand moves up to cover her mouth as Niramo tries
to recall if she read up on a macaron recipe. Chocolate macadamia nut cookies come to mind, but she
might need to look up a recipe...

The movement brings extra tension to the torn sleeve, and a thread snaps under the pressure. The
coat itself looks like a lost cause now, but there's no way Niramo can buy a new coat with what
tripmoney she has left. "Well, if you think it can be saved, i'm willing to leave it in your capable
hands, Marinette-chan. I...think i'll be more likely to stitch my hand to my sleeve if I tried."

The rush of cold air as the door opens causes Niramo to shiver involuntarily, but she shakes her
head in the negative, causing her icy hair to shake off a few icicles. "Of course I am! I might not
know as much about fashion as you or Yuhira-chan, but I know you'll hate yourself if you pass up
this chance. What if you miss that spark of inspiration that leads to the start of a new fashion
line?"

A quick sip of the staggeringly chocolate-filled beverage has Niramo humming as it has finally
reached the perfect temperature, and her eyes stray over to the crowded front counter. "Well...maybe
we could get some hot chocolate before we leave. You know, to keep us warm from the cold?" It
sounded like enough of a good reason to get another hot chocolate before they leave...but she just
might be a little addicted to the drink.

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Rubbing her arms for a moment - since her nice cozy coat is currently covered in snow - Marinette
frowns at the door. The coffee's at least warm, though - at least there's that to say for it. She's
quick to turn back to her friend, though, nodding at the coat. "I'll give it my best shot - I think
I can do something! Though I might need to get some extra cloth - waterproof if I can find it, do
you think there's a fabric shop around here?"

She's enthusiastic about the sewing project, at least, even if she's fidgeting. "We could probably
swing the kitchenette, too...though don't count on me for macaron-making. I can decorate them, but
the last time I tried making meringues, it...." The fidgeting increases. "...I might be banned from
that kitchen for all time?"

A long quiet after that revelation, during which she just sips her coffee. Without meeting Niramo's
gaze, she finally continues. "...but if you want to bake while I sew, then maybe that's a plan. One
more round, and then check out the shops?"

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Reaching over to tug her sleeve back up into position, despite the fact it's a bit of a lost cause
at the moment, Niramo looks out at the beautiful day outside the cafe window. Despite the fact that
it's below freezing, it's not holding back the tourists in the slightest and was actually
encouraging them on. It's just part of coming to Sapparo at this time of year.

"It might take a few stores, but i'm sure we can find a fabric store, but it doesn't need to be
waterproof or anything like that. If it can keep my sleeve on and keep me warm at the same time,
it's fine with me!" Maybe a long-sleeve coat with built in air conditioning might be a good idea
during the summer months, but it's not exactly ideal during this time of the year. But doesn't
Yuhira say that fashion is suffering? The world of fashion is a strange one indeed...

The fact that Marinette was banned from cooking whatsoever has Niramo's eyebrows raising in surprise
. Doesn't her parents run their own bakery? "I...well, that sounds good to me, actually! Everyone is
better at different things." Oh dear, Marinette is fidgetting quite a bit. It couldn't have been
that bad, right? The urge to ask what could have possible have gone wrong was on the tip of Niramo's
tongue but...well, it looks like her friend was a bit accident prone, if earlier was an example.
It's not nice to pry into other's business.

Niramo raises her cup to take another sip, but becomes distraught when nothing comes forth no matter
how far she tips it. She couldn't have possible drinked it all already, it just got to the perfect
temperature! Letting out a sigh at the thought she would need to wait a little while longer until
she refill her cup, Niramo nods in agreement. "Sounds like a good plan to me. The macarons might be
a little rough, though. I never tried to make any before, but there's a first time for everything,
right?"

Now's a good time to look up a recipe, as long as they're in the city. Maybe the day can end on a
good note after all!

<Pose Tracker> Marinette Dupain-Cheng [Juuban Public School (7)] has posed.

Marinette takes another sip from her coffee, watching Niramo tug on the torn sleeve. Another frown
crosses her face, and she puts a hand on her own jacket for a moment - though the cheerful pink
parka seems to have endured the battering a little bit better.

"Hopefully we can find a decent selection - I'd like to match the colour if nothing else!" The cheer
in her voice doesn't quite match up with her face, and she glances one more time. "On that note -
could we trade coats? I still feel bad about the toboggan part - and I'd like to get a better look
at the damage anyway. I mean, my coat might be a little damp, but it's in one piece..."

She turns to brush more of the snow and ice off of her coat, slush splatting to the ground in large
globs. It's damp, but...at least the inside seems okay? And it's something she can do.

Not like baking.

...getting distracted shouldn't have been that bad, should it? It was just a few minutes on her
phone! At least, probably a few, no more than ten, can ten minutes really be that bad for meringue?!

...she doesn't bake often.

"I mean...we can certainly try! I think I might still have the recipe on my phone - if you want to
give it a try, we mostly just need...almonds and eggs." She drums her fingers on the table, then
drains her cup. Still, by the end, she's smiling. "But first, in all honesty your hot chocolate
looked a lot better than my coffee turned out! So - a mug each, and then we brave the cold? We've
got to make the most of the rest of our trip, after all!"

2018-06-27 - LOTUS INCEPTION: Niramo Umokeshi

2018-06-28T03:17:58Z

{|class="toccolours" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: LOTUS INCEPTION: Niramo Umokeshi'''
|-
|'''Summary''': 
''Ladybug and Chat Noir go looking for the third Miraculous User in her dream and finds her completely different than expected. With coordinated efforts, they make Sourisi realize that she's not how she should be, and she gives herself more than a pinch to wake herself up.''
|-
| '''Who:''' 
[[Niramo Umokeshi]], [[Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], [[Adrien Agreste]]
|-
| '''Where:''' 
Niramo's Fantasy World - Yotsuba Clover Town
|-
| '''OOC - IC Date:''' 
6-27-2018 - ??-??-????
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The rosy orange of dusk is falling over the Tokyo skyline as another day draws to a close. The trees
were in full bloom and the rays of the sun gives off one last tinge of heat to the day before it
sets fully, and a gentle breeze is there to to keep the citizens of Tokyo cool. What could be the
finale to a beautiful day?

The loud roar of a dying Nebubla as it is purified of its' evil is a good start.

Catching Yamane as she is thrown free of the skeletal cage-like Nebubla as it fades into motes of
purified energy, Stardust Champion Sourisi lets out a sigh of contentment at seeing her sister safe
from yet another kidnapping attempt. Despite the Void Stars not knowing her secret identity, they
have a very bad habit of going after her little sister.

Landing on top of a bakery after the mid-air battle, the bedazzled magical girl carefully helps her
sister down and looks her over carefully before breaking into a smile at seeing the green-haired
elementry student unharmed. "It was a little rough without Taureai-chan and Tigiri-chan here, but
i'm glad to see you okay. You're not drained, are you?"

Giggling and shaking her head so that her school beret was in risk of falling off, Yamane shows she
has plenty of energy to spare. "I'm fine, neesan! The first time it happened was scary, but now I
know that Sourisi-chan is always looking out for me!" Grabbing the magical girl in a tight hug,
Yamane smiles as she feels the comfort only her big sister can bring her.

Smiling cheerfully at her little sister, Sourisi closes her eyes and takes a deep breath of the cool
air, her sparkling cape rippling in the wind swirling around Clover Town. While nervous about her
cooking show at first, it's quickly becoming a big success for Niramo Umokeshi. And with her little
sister saved and the future looking brighter than ever for the Stardust Champions, Sourisi can rest
easy.

If only the strange dreams plaguing her at night would let her.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Monsters in this world are relatively rare, but the sight of the Stardust Champion defeating a
villainous Nebula is a hard one to ignore. The roof of the Dupain-Cheng bakery offers an excellent
vantage point, and Marinette leans against the railing while a friend beside her is gushing out loud
while the camera rolls.

It's a glamorous battle...but soon enough, the Nebula is fading into motes of light. Marinette lets
out a sigh, and looks at her friend. "There you go, Alya-chan. Is this a good enough vantage point
for your blog that you can stop running into those battles?"

Reviewing the footage, the budding journalist squeals. "It was fantastic! Though you really don't
understand the journalism spirit - and that one was a solo fight! Do you know how rare those are,
how many hits up-close footage would have gotten?!"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure your commentary will make up for lost time - want to work on it inside?"

"Sure, sure. Guess I can totally bump that lame Mothhawk fight..."

Marinette makes a face like she's bitten into a lemon - but she's alone on her balcony in seconds.
There's loud squeals from the general area of her computer, and she can only let out a sigh. "...all
right, so...that's kind of different. I'm guessing this must be Sourisi's world, though it is kind
of a strange one...think we can catch up with her, Tikki?" The little bug fairy emerges, though she
seems much smaller than usual...

But magic is still magic, and video editing takes enough focus from a 'journalist' that she doesn't
see Ladybug leap from the balcony to try to catch the Stardust Champion.

She was in the direction of...that rooftop, right? The red-clad gymnast stumbles over a tile,
finding her footing a little less sure than usual...hopefully she can catch up.

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Adrien smiles as he finished reading the latest article of Sourisi. "She really is amazing," he told
Plagg who was napping on the desk. "It's always so amzing watching her battles. I hope Ladybug and I
can match up to her level."

He continues reading until within an eyeblink he stops reading and glances around his room.

"Alright, different set up from last time," he said as he stood up. "I hope my lady made it here
alright." There was no way of knowing until they found each other and the best method was to locate
Sourisi.

Adrien then spotted the Sourisi fanpage that was still open as a tab on his website.

"Uh, guess that's a start," he said and read the page. "Just had a fight..okay, guess I'll head
over to that area."

Within seconds, Chat Noir was running at top speed as he jumped over rooftops. He noticed people
cheered as he ran by, but not nearly as many as he normally saw. He didn't have time to ponder on
this as he spotted figured out in the distance. "Here's hoping I catch up to them."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Hearing rushing footsteps heading her way, Sourisi opens her eyes then lets go of Yamane quickly as
she spies the Miraculous Ladybug heading her way. While she wants to show just as much affection for
her sister when she was transformed, the threat the Void Stars, Mothhawk or Northa pose if they
learned the green-haired girl was precious to Sourisi was too much to risk.

Waving a hand in greetings, Sourisi calls out to the polka-dotted heroine as she gets closer.
"Ladybug-san! You just missed a Nebubla attack, but thankfully no one got drained this time. I
haven't seen any of Mothhawk's Akuma since last week, maybe because he's having too much trouble
finding another person to victimize!"

Seems like in this dream, the duo of Ladybug and Chat Noir help out the Stardust Champions
occasionally, with the more experienced trio of magical girls making sure Mothhawk doesn't get too
much of an upper hand.

Speaking of the black panther, Chat Noir isn't too far behind his partner, and the frilled magical
girl greets him just as warmly. "Chat-san! If the both of you are out tonight, then evil is prowling
again. Might be a little overkill, but I don't mind jumping in to help if you need it. I just need
to help my little si--uh, admirer get home safe." Sourisi quickly recovers from her slip of the
tongue and motions to the adorable Juuban student, a proud smile on her lips.

Yamane never gets to meet other magical girls besides the Stardust Champions, and seeing a magical
''boy'' is the cherry on the cake. She runs up to Chat Noir and Ladybug and looks between the two,
starstruck. "Wooow, Sourisi-san tells me a lot about the other magical fighters, but it's the first
time I seen you two in person! Your costumes are so different, but in a good way!"

Compared to Sourisi's costume, they certainly look different compared to Sourisi. Despite the battle
she just fought, the Stardust Champion's uniform looks like it could be shown off at a fashion show
designed around magical girls with no clean up needed. Knee-high boots, frilly skirt and silver
chestplate, the sparkling cape she wears that looks like a comet's tail. Of course, it wouldn't be
complete without the silver anklet resting on the outside of one of her boots, sparkling in the
fading sunlight.

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Ladybug swings onto the rooftop, same as ever - well, maybe she's landing a little more confidently
than usual. A junior hero is just that, after all - and she's certainly got to work on getting
experience with her goofy 'Lucky Charm' attacks. That's the story in this world, surely.

"Sourisi! Glad I managed to catch up-" Chat arrives moments later, and she corrects herself. "Glad
we managed to catch up, that is. And that makes sense - you don't need a hand or anything, right?"

She'd like to help, save for two things. Past problems with small children, and...if Sourisi really
did slip up there, then this girl might be a key to a secret identity that she really shouldn't be
learning.

Ladybug opts to crouch down, smiling broadly. "Thank you! I guess we must look pretty different,
though..." She glances over to to Chat's leather outfit, and then to the sparkling silver of Sourisi.
..

"...really different. Anyway, the Stardust Champion is right - there's a problem we need to talk
about, so you'd better get home soon, okay?"

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chat flips and lands perfectly onto the roof top. For once he's rather graceful, rather than being a
bit of a klutz. Oh well at least he was getting better in this world.

"Ladies," Chat greeted, but quickly noticed Ladybug's quick change of line as the little girl
greets them. "Ah," he says and winks at the child. "Yes, well, variety is the spice of life is it
not?" He looks back to Sourisi. "Ladybug is right through, there is an urgent problem we need to
discuss." He sends a nod to Ladybug, hopefully she understood he was on the same page.

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Giggling at Yamane as she gasps in wonder at Ladybug and Chat Noir, Sourisi smiles at the cute scene
but brings herself to respond to the heroine. "Nope! Taureai-chan and Tigiri-chan just wasn't nearby
when the Void Stars' latest creation tried to kidnap her. Been quite a while since I fought anything
by myself, but I always find a way to succeed!"

Yamane grins at Chat Noir's words and bobs her head. "Yep! If everything was the same, it would be
boring, right Chat-san?" The little girl bursts into giggles at the wink directed her way. If
Sourisi isn't careful, she might just lose a fangirl to his charm!

The mention of a problem, and the fact that even the pun master was looking serious about it has the
Stardust Champion realize that something must be up if the Miraculous Duo was seeking her own.
"Yamane-chan, you should be able to get down with the fire escape near the doll shop, okay? You head
straight home and make sure your family knows you're safe." Sharing a wink with Yamane, Sourisi
gently pushes Yamane past Chat Noir, and the Juuban girl waves cheerfully at all three of them as
she heads out. "Bye Sourisi-san! It was nice meeting you Ladybug-san, Chat-san!"

As soon as Yamane was out of earshot, Sourisi turns her attention back to the two lesser-experienced
magical warriors, an eyebrow raised. "If it's urgent, i'm all ears, Chat-san. If Mothhawk's planning
on teaming up with another villain, you can count on me to prevent it from becoming a cat-astrophe!"

Sourisi mentally chastises herself for the terrible pun. A perfect magical girl doesn't leave bad
jokes in her wake!

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Sourisi is serious about things, at least, and Ladybug breathes a sigh of relief as she stands up.
"That you do, Sourisi, that you do." She gives the more experienced magical girl here a bit of a
salute, stepping back as farewells are said to Yamane. Chat seems to be his normal self, and Ladybug
just spins her yo-yo during the little bit of flirting.

It's at least a sign they're on the same page.

She gives the smaller child a wave, because how can a hero not do something like that in a world
this bright, and then...it's just the three of them. Ladybug glances at Chat, not sure where to
begin - they didn't exactly make a plan. Sourisi has her guess, though, and-

-and the girl in red just groans loudly. "You're as bad as he is, I swear...all right, the problem."
She spins her yo-yo idly, tossing and catching in one fluid motion that this Ladybug hasn't ever
managed to pull off.

"...it doesn't look like Pa - like Mothhawk. We've just kind of...stumbled into something that looks
a lot bigger than any of his minions. Chat had a bit more experience than I did, but the short
answer..." Her grip on her yo-yo tightens, and she turns to gaze at the horizon. "...have you had
strange dreams lately? Dreams of things being completely different from what you expect?"

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chat is relieved to see Sourisi take the threat seriously, and grins like a cat had been given cream
. "Oh, that was the cat's meow." He laughs until Ladybug brings up the vital issues. He frowns and
looks to Sourisi. "Yes, dreams that feel like...important, almost vital in some manner but you just
have trouble remembering the full details?'

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Giggling as Chat Noir joins in with a pun of his own, it takes a moment for her to school her
features. Despite how serious they seem, it's not /that/ serious if the Bad Luck Cat was still
laying down puns. "Right, right, apologizes Ladybug-san, but you have to admit that was a good one."

Dark green eyes track the yo-yo as Ladybug twirls it around, and Sourisi claps as the junior hero
finally gets the trick she's been trying for months right, ever since they first met. Both of them
must be training hard, especially if he Chat Noir finally managed to land the 10-point landing. "You
two are really progressing since those months ago and we first met! I remember when you first tried
that and you ended up entangled with Chat Noir. It was adorable, really."

But when both of them mention dreams, dreams that were completely different from the normal and
lacking detail, all traces of joy slides away from Sourisi's face. Looking towards the shrinking
sunset, the Stardust Champion nervously reaches up behind her neck as if searching for something to
tug on but stops as soon it dawns on here there was nothing to pull. For the first time since they
met her in this dream, Sourisi was now sporting a new emotion.

Uncertainty.

"Well, now that you mention it, yes. There...was this void portal thing that was devouring the stars
and these four fighters that were absorbing it somehow. Takk said it wasn't one of my visions, but
it still seemed so real..." Thinking back to that terrible nightmare, the mental image of an older
woman with crimson hair and a girl her age with brown hair came to mind. Even if she couldn't
remember their faces, the rest of them still stayed clear. Why were they so important?

"Then there was another, where I was a knight and I met the four fighters up close, and they seem so
...tired and mistreated. They said something about shadows and it ended terribly, but...it was so
real. I know it wasn't really a vision, but...both of them seem so important somehow." When Niramo
had tried asking her fellow Stardust Champions if they had the dreams as well, they both laughed and
shook their heads, telling her to forget the silly nightmares.

Looking back over at the two junior heroes, Sourisi's features school themselves when she realizes
she have to appear strong for her students, but the glimmer of hope flickers in her eyes. "Did
either of you have dreams like that as well?"

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The applause takes Ladybug off guard, and she blinks at the yo-yo in her hand before shaking her
head. "Did you have to bring that up? ...I'd just gotten roped into things, after all." She winks at
Niramo, because if puns aren't leaving the table then she's going to take a shot at winning.

It's a fleeting moment, and Ladybug tucks away her yo-yo as Sourisi turns away. She glances at Chat
when the girl tugs at a tail that isn't there, takes a breath - but then Sourisi starts talking.

That's the one, in the end. The last thing they'd seen before getting pulled into these dreams, the
rift in the world and the woman appearing from the book...

When Sourisi turns back to them, Ladybug's face isn't filled with uncertainty, or awe, or any of the
expressions a student should have. She's solemn, and behind her mask her gaze is piercing. "That
would be the one. It's...it's kind of connected to some weird book, and a woman connected to it -
she's been using her power to pull people into dream worlds. I got dragged into one where, uh..."

Is Ladybug blushing?

"...it doesn't matter and Chat if you say a word there will be suffering." She turns away from -both
- of her fellow heroes in a sudden huff. "...but yeah, recognizing that you're stuck in a dream is...
hard. I got lucky, in that Chat came in to pull me out of it..."

She trails off, not sure how to bring the next point in.

<Pose Tracker> Adrien Agreste [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Chat nods as Sourisi says the description they've been waiting and he gives a sigh of relief. "Yes,
that's right," he comments and nods along with Ladybug. Although gives a slight smirk as he recalls
Ladybug's dream with Chat and Adrien pinning for her, but now was not the time for it...later there
would be much teasing.

"It's true," he added. "I, by some miracle, managed to wake myself by...let's just say by something
shocking," he turned his gaze to Sourisi, "but now it's your turn. You have to wake up from this
dream world, Sourisi."

<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

When Sourisi looks back towards Ladybug and Chat Noir, she was expecting to see a concerned look,
perhaps a joke or two at her expense about how she shouldn't eat before bed to prevent nightmares
and two novices looking awed that they were being let into a secret. What she wasn't expecting was
Ladybug looking much more confident than she was last week all of a sudden, throwing Sourisi
mentally off balance. "Wait, you had the exact same dream?"

Even Ladybug trailing off with a rather rosy blush to her cheeks and Chat's all-knowing smirk is
glossed over as she struggles with that piercing gaze. Just how much have Ladybug and Chat Noir
grown in just a week? And why was she so off-balance because of it? She should be proud of her
students...right?

Folding her arms against her chest, Sourisi frowns as Ladybug trails off. "A villain that attacks
through dreams is pretty serious, and it's good that Chat-san was able to wake you up in time! But
dreams are just that, after all." Even as she says that, Sourisi feels like a hypocrite for being so
stressed out about those strange nightmares she had, but she gets the feeling that wasn't what
Ladybug was trying to bring up. Why bring up the dreams she had in the first place then?

But then Chat Noir finishes it for his partner, and Sourisi blinks in surprise as she tries to make
sense of what he was saying. Well, of course she's awake right now! She just stopped a moster and
she never got hit once, so there was no risk of her being knocked out...right? Or is that what they
mean, about the villain that was attacking through dreams?

The dreams they brought up, the first one they all seen had to be a clue here, but why would the
villain show her a nightmare that never happened, with people she doesn't recognized? Unless...

A dawning realization strikes Sourisi hard, and just as the sun sets and the city becomes brilliant
with artificial light, the magical girl looks towards the fire escape that her little sister just
went down. Towards a family waiting for both of them to enjoy dinner. Towards a home she won't be
heading home to. "I'm dreaming right now, am I?" This was more a question to herself than towards
the Miraculous Duo, and Sourisi does the only thing she can think of. After all, the leader of the
Stardust Champions have never felt any pain or suffered any injury in her career.

Raising a hand, Sourisi slaps herself in the face, not hard enough to leave a bruise but enough to
make it sting.

Stumbling from the self-inflicted slap, Sourisi's body is awash with glowing motes of light like
those that came from a purified Nebubla that float away in the light breeze. As they fade away,
Sourisi in all her bodysuited glory stands in her place, with her familiar french braid and black
hair moving with the breeze. There's no gleaming silver or frilly accessories here, but the tried
and true costume of the Miraculous Ninja.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Sourisi tries to suppress the deepening blush forming on her cheeks
and failing. "I must look so silly to you two, huh...?"

COMBAT: Niramo Umokeshi transforms into Sourisi!

<Pose Tracker> Ladybug [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It took a minute or so for Ladybug to get embarrassment off her face. Fortunately, in that span,
Chat Noir fills in - cutting straight to the point she'd been dancing around. The sun sets, the
city's lights take over the role of shining in the night, and...Sourisi is focused on that child
who's just gone home.

The slap catches Ladybug off guard, and she whirls to behold Sourisi's true transformation. It's a
relief to see her again, absolutely...but it's a familiar embarrassment. There's only one thing to
say in response to that little moment.

"If it helps, you did figure it out faster than I did. It took Chat, ah, flirting with one of my
dream-suitors to clue me in that something was up." There's a look she gives Chat, just smug enough
to say 'I know your dark secret and I'm not saying a word', but...she leaves it there. "It's
definitely good to have you back..."

She glances to the fire escape, opens her mouth to ask a question...then shakes her head. "...and
sorry for intruding."

At least the Miraculous holders are together again. That much is true, even if this world no longer
has its Stardust Champion, and Ladybug tries a reassuring smile.

2018-06-21 - LOTUS INCEPTION: Amethyst

2018-06-27T23:07:03Z

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