Kotori Shirohane - Warakuma High School: Agriculture Club | After School

As it turned out, the boy who had entered the clubroom together with Shizuka was looking to join the Agriculture Club; however usual a time it was to do so, given that most clubs fill their ranks early in the year. Hearing him clearly and on a second glance, Kotori only now noticed that the boy appeared to be of foreign descent; much like Matthew or Alexei - leaving her to briefly wonder if Warakuma was secretly a famous exchange school. However, seeing yet another person around to take an interest in plants, flowers and the joy of growing them was still a pleasant thing - even if Kotori had to briefly shake her head when asked whether she was the club president. "Ah, no, that would be Harvester-senpai," she said, taking a half-step aside and gesturing toward the third year.

Just as she did, a familiar face poked through the door in the form of Rui as he made an unexpected visit. "Ah, good afternoon, Shinichi-san," Kotori said with a bow. However, he wasn't going to stay for long - instead, merely noting that he too might be joining the club before leaving once again for the manga club. Said announcement came as a bit of a surprise - Kotori hadn't thought such a thing would be of interest to him; though on second thought she realised that a lot of the people around here turned out to be more than their first glance might suggest. However, Rui wasn't the only one to make a quick retreat - the other boy suddenly announced that he too had to go.

"Eh?" Kotori blinked in surprise at his sudden words, just as he turned to leave; apologising for wasting any time and promising to return another time. With that, both unexpected visitors were gone as quickly as they had arrived; leaving just the usual three in the clubroom. Kotori looked at the door for a moment before glancing over to Shizuka and then Matthew - only to remember the latter's mutterings from before now that the immediate distractions were gone. Neither knowing what to say to such a thing nor whether she should say anything at all left her to instead give an awkward half-smile as she took her seat once again - though not without a brief glance to the door just to make sure that there weren't yet more unannounced visitors about to pop in.

Matt- Thursday agriculture Club

Lost in a daze of thought Matt didn't notice anything around him until the sound of a door knock brought him around. Listening to the voice beyond the door, Matt only just noticed Kotori was in the room.
Wait how long has she been here? I didn't think out loud again did I? Losing himself in thought again Matt watched the door open and Shizuka enter. Matt’s thoughts ran cold and he almost didn’t notice the boy behind her.

As they started talking Matt drew his mind back in to join in and welcome the potential new member.
“ahh a ne-” suddenly as he started to speak Rui suddenly popped his head in which was another sudden surprise.
Two potential new members in one day and it's not the beginning of the year.

Happy thinking about getting new members Matt didn't worry much about Kotori being mistaken for the club president though before he could bring things around to his pace the two had vanished.

“damn they escaped…. Oh well they will be back hopefully” Matt said as he turned to the actual members.
“uhhh so hows today goin?” the atmosphere seemed a bit awkward today and Matt wasn't really helping it.

Alexei Dragunov - Manga and Anime Club

Akane turned around and greeted him just as Rui also decided to pass by. Alexei looked at the pictures Akane was drawing as Rui mentioned dungeons and shadows, now that he looked at her renditions they didn't seem to stir the same emotions as when he was in that kaleidoscopic reality. Rui hadn't been really clear about the stuff because he himself was only guessing at most of the things.

"Those drafts look good, thinking of spinning a story around it?" Alexei said finally, breaking the awkward pause that had built up in the room. "Now that you both are here, I was intending to ask you about my sister. Can she not be the part of this rescue group that you guys got going. I don't want her to drag in this again if its possible. But my worry is, will she be safe outside? Have their been any incident of people being taken twice?" Alexei said, a little burden off his shoulders. He helped himself to a chair and plopped his bag on the floor, looking at others for a reply.

Shizuka let out a soft giggle behind her hand at Ryan's evident nervousness, something she can actually relate to. On her first day to enter the agriculture club, even she was nervous and shy but the fact that the girl had already met the two members beforehand had helped. As she invited her fellow classmate in, he voiced out an inquiry with a tone of concern. "Hm... I-I may not have the authority to accept or reject applicants to the club but knowing Harvester-senpai, he'll be glad to accept more members."

Just as Shizuka had entered the room, her covered eyes spotted figures of the two members so she greeted, "Good afternoon Harvester-senpai, Shirohane-senpai. This is my classmate, Alon-san, he seems to hold an interest in joining our club." The female freshman said this with a delighted smile upon her features before somebody else appeared behind them. As she turned to see who it was, Shizuka was frozen stiff at the sight of the upperclassman. 'Oh no, it's Shinichi-senpai! Let him not notice me, please.'

The raven haired girl fell silent the entire duration of Rui's short visit with an awkward smile on her lips. Not too long after, Ryan hurriedly left the room saying he had an errand to run. Then there were three.

Hazel eyes blinked at the sudden come and go of the members-to-be but stifled a giggle at the awkward yet silly situation. "Hopefully they'll drop us another visit." She flashed a smile at Kotori then to Matt, that was when she noticed that the upperclassman was currently tending to the lilacs. It brought her previous thoughts back, to which the embarrassed girl shook her head when she felt heat upon her cheeks. While attempting to calm herself, Shizuka took her seat quietly.

With everyone gathered in the warehouse again, most of the party knew what it meant. Someone was in the mirror world again, and this was another rescue mission. Kazuki and Megumi confirmed that there were two, so they were going to have two teams again, one appointed by Rui, and the other led by Rui. Kami was not present today however, he said there was some investigation he simply couldn't let wait, with that understood he was off to do that.

"Two again...? I wonder if this is out of desperation or vindiction...", he commented. Indeed, but the answer to that depended on what their purpose was. Even with the cultists the other day, they still had no idea. Everything was starting to move really fast too.

"In any case, let us be on our way", he said, as everyone brought their weapon with them that they stored in the warehouse. Tadao was kind enough to bring more on request.



As they reached the location where the new dungeons should be, they came to a cross roads. At the end of the two roads and within sight were the two dungeons. One appeared to be a tower skyscraper, the top seemed to have no end, not to mention it looked more like a big block of concrete, there were no windows. Honestly it seemed quite daunting, but hopefully it was actually less than it seemed.

Down the other road lay a theater, very old fashioned in architecture too, one can guess what they might be dealing with if they step into there. For now... Everyone had decided to stop at the crossroads first, and decide parties before they split off into the two dungeons.

"Huh... That's strange, I'm detecting a passageway between the two dungeons as well. It doesn't seem to have the same feel of the dungeons so there are much less shadows in it, but this will be useful if either party needs assistance", she informed.

Well, time to decide who was going where...

Kotori Shirohane - Warakuma High School: Agriculture Club | Thursday, June 18 2015 - After School

With the departure of the two unexpected visitors, a brief but profoundly awkward silence suddenly entered the room - it seemed that everyone was simultaneously trying to say something whilst also avoiding doing so. Luckily though, Matthew soon spoke up - asking how things were today. "Eh? Ah, uhm, q-quite fine," Kotori said before glancing over to Shizuka - for all their attempts, it seemed that the three of them weren't going to be getting rid of the stiff atmosphere quite so easily. That thought in turn brought back to memory Matthew's previous mumblings; leading Kotori to wish she knew something to say - or an excuse to leave the two of them alone. Either way, it looked like it was going to be a long club meeting.

Kotori Shirohane - Abandoned Warehous | Sunday, June 21 2015

Kotori was just catching her breath after having rushed over when the last of today's group arrived. She'd felt a bit uneasy when she'd gotten the message from Rui - though a small part of her always hoped that he was instead just letting everyone know that the case was solved and the kidnappings stopped, Kotori wasn't all that surprised, if a little disheartened, to see that instead another meeting was being called. Arriving at the warehouse, it once again turned out that yet more people had been kidnapped - and this time, two at a time.

That did seem even more worrying - Alexei and his sister being kidnapped at the same time might be explained as an accident, but every other kidnapping, excepting Sato's and her own, had been a single case. Kotori just hoped that this didn't mean that the kidnappings were increasing from now on - or that perhaps another perpetrator had stepped up. However, now was not the time to try and figure things out - Kaminari was going to follow a lead whilst everyone else would focus their efforts on rescuing those in the other world for now.

Kotori Shirohane - Mirror World: Crossroads | Sunday

Rather than arrive at a single dungeon as had been the case with the Dragunov siblings, the group instead came upon a crossroad. One path lead to an incredibly tall and rather ominous tower of concrete reaching into the sky further than the eye could see, even after quickly wiping her glasses. The other road meanwhile lead to another large building, but this time no tower but rather a theater. That much was evident just from looking at it; the façade looking like those of old-time theaters. Glancing between the two, neither struck Kotori as very appealing - theaters usually meant stages and spotlights and audiences whilst the tower looked to be an endless climb, if the kidnapped person happened to be at the top, as would probably be the case with her luck. Furthermore, there were two dungeons - leaving Kotori a little worried that she'd be able to keep up with everyone when she'd already had some trouble at the end of the Ayano rescue.

With a quick shake of her head, Kotori cleared herself of those increasingly negative thoughts and instead focused on the fact that they were here to rescue the kidnapping victims. A bit of nervousness still remained, but she'd calmed herself enough to look over to Rui as he selected the members of the rescue team - or teams, rather, given that they now had two telepathic navigators on their side.

Matt- Thursday agriculture Club

As time moved ever so slowly Matt tended to the rest of the flowers and other plants in the room humming a tune to a random old song. Though he took only a few minutes it felt a lot longer until Matt finally finished up, as he put away the watering can and a thought that occupied another part of his mind came to the front.

With his bright childish smile Matt turned to the other two members and excitedly started talking “hey guys I’ve been thinkn bout different ways to effectively incorporate old farmin methods with modern organic fields…” once Matt starts talking passionately he doesn't stop so today's meeting ended up going for a while.

Sunday - crossroads

Having received word to meet up at the abandoned warehouse Matt put aside any plans he had to meet up with the group for another rescue mission. Though finding out the abductions were increasing was a bit for concern Matt wasn’t too worried, one day his light heartedness will probably put him in danger but absently playing with his machetes Matt wasn't plagued by tough thoughts.

After a while the group arrived at a crossroad of sorts, it seemed this time they would have to split into two groups.
Without too much thought Matt idly pointed a machete at the theater in the distance.
“I’m goin to head down that way” Matt spoke electing his path.

JUNE 21ST 2015, SUNDAY
Mid-day
In the middle of the Mirror World lay a crossroad, two branches leading to two dungeons. Rui had called the team together due to a confirmed kidnapping, but Sato was surprised to hear that there were actually two victims this time. Sato doubted it'd be like last time if the two weren't as connected and close together as the Dragonuv siblings, and the suspicion was only confirmed when the team arrived at the split in the road. In one direction was a climbing skyscraper, which looked more like a never ending slab of concrete, with its lack of windows and, well... skyscraper stuff. To the other side was an old theater, rather lacking in unusual attributes.

Megumi noted a connection between the two dungeons, which was deemed potentially useful since it lacked some of the dungeons' danger. Sato thought it was awfully convenient that they also had two people with navigation capabilities now. This appeared to be optimal conditions for a two-team dungeon run. But that meant certain people would only go to a certain dungeon. Considering this, Sato looked at the two buildings before them. The skyscraper was far from welcoming, while the theater appeared much more tame. The choice was obvious, but Sato didn't want to seem a coward so he simply looked to Rui for the final decision. He was the leader after all.

Akane Hanazawa // Warakuma High // Manga Club
Thursday, June 18th, 2015
After School

"Yea, I plan to integrate them with my current work. They fit in the setting quite well." She nodded to herself approvingly after answering his question. Though, the distraction from the topic at hand didn't last long as Alexei quickly got back to what he wanted to talk about in the first place. After listening from start to finish, Akane broke the serious atmosphere with a smile and spoke up. "You have nothing to worry about Alexei, we've had no intention of getting your little sister involved in this in the first place." she said reassuringly.

"As for your last question, as far as I'm aware of, there hasn't been someone taken or targeted twice. So based on that, I'd say your sister will be safe. Though, she'll still need to be careful, there's no telling what the cult is up to. There's still a lot we don't know about them."

---

Sunday, June 21st, 2015
Abandon Warehouse ----> Mirror world

Sunday, do you know what time it is? Time for everyone's favorite weekend activity, dungeon crawling! Well, at least that was the case for Akane who not only gets to fight some more but also more sources for her manga. It was quite the win-win for her, really. Having said that, it's not like that's the only reason she does this, she does want to help and save others yes, but this has became quite fun for her. It's like being inside a video game but in this case, it's real. Nothing wrong with some fun mixed in with work, after all, you need something to take your stress and shit out on, fighting does wonders in that case.

Anyways, they were gathered here in the warehouse because more people were found in the mirror world. Just like last time, Kazuki and Megumi confirmed that there was two people who got taken. Akane started wondering if they were simply in a rush for whatever reason or simply decided to change their MO. Either way, things are changing on how they used to be. With Kami being elsewhere doing investigation, it was up to Rui to pick the teams, leading one of them, as they march into the dungeons to save the latest victims.

As they arrived at the dungeons location, they came across a cross roads, with both roads leading to a dungeon. One a towering skyscraper with seemingly no end that gave off an imposing feel and another an old looking theater. Well, Akane knew which one she thought was more interesting but it honestly didn't matter to her, as long as she had something to smash in. Though, from what Megumi said, it might be slim pickings this time around as well. Damn

"It doesn't really matter to me but, if we're basing it on looks, this way clearly seems more interesting." she grinned as she pointed her katana towards the imposing skyscraper with no end in sight.

The girl's conversation came to a quick halt when a deep voice came from the other side of the door. Sure enough, it was Alexei. As the door opened another familiar person entered and Rui came through and asked Akane about her drawings. Ayano became surprised when she heard they were dungeons as well, it made her look back at the drawings and how it must have felt for the others experiencing such an eldritch location, not to mention all the shadows lurking about...



After few short moments of reprieve, it was inevitable that the team would be called again. There really is no rest for the wicked is there? Two of the other members have said that there were two victims again. Again? The girl cocked her head to the side, so this isn't the first time it happened? Perhaps the cult is trying to speed things up by kidnapping pairs now...Rather than mull over it for any longer, she decided to join the others, departing to the mirror world once more.

However, rather than being greeted by the dungeon proper, the group came to a crossroads, quite literally at that. The road forked between two different structures, the other one was a theater that looked straight out of the Renaissance-era, the other one was a skyscraper that could only be described as a modern version of the Babel. She glanced back and forth between the two, unsure of which one she was more comfortable with. On one hand, the theater doesn't pierce the heavens with its height but who knows it's not some sort of maze inside that's much bigger in scale than what it appears to be? The skyscraper wasn't much appealing either, the lack of windows definitely gave it a scary vibe, and again, from her vantage point, it looks like it reaches space at this point.

"Well, no use complaining. We're going to have to experience both of these terrors anyway."

Alexei Dragunov - Dungeon Day

He had been a bit late and hesitant to join but he promised himself that his duties and newfound powers weren't only for his near and dear ones. He had a responsibility to protect the defenseless, the weak. He was never a righteous man, he usually worked himself bare only because that meant time away from his own loneliness and self-loathe but it had begun to change.

Akane's reassurance was the first step towards that change, he decided that if he wanted his sister to be independent like he wanted, he'd have to relinquish some control. He can't forever be looking over her soldier like some guardian and try and make things easy for her. The world was a hard place and it was time that he made his sister self-sufficient enough to fend for herself. That began with him teaching what he had learnt over the years.

When Rui's message came, he wasn't sure if he had totally bought this whole hero thing but after mulling it over. He picked himself and went out to find the location mentioned. Upon arriving he was greeted by a few others he didn't remember but from their behavior it seemed that they expected him. He was shown an assortment of weapons to choose from as the room was empty, the girl said that others were already inside. He scanned through the inventory to find an item he thought he'd be comfortable with.

A heavy tire iron, it suited him in a way. After giving it a good look and doing some empty swings, he just asked the boy to show him the way. Walking through the mirror world, he had the same woozy feeling as the time when Elena got taken. It took him a moment to readjust himself. As he jogged on ahead, he could see a group gathered at the crosswords.

Akane and Rui seemed to be present, so was Matt, Ayano and Kotori. It meant he was with his schoolmates just the setting was different. As he looked on ahead, the monolith caught his fancy. The dread that resonated from it seem to move Alexei at a basic animalistic level. He pointed his finger to air his view about his leaning, if anyone was interested.

"I'll be taking the Tower." he said in his trademark deep grumble.

Having taken Alexei, Sato, and Kotori with him, Rui led on through this dungeon. Upon opening the doors the party was met with something that defied all logic, considering the dungeon was high tower. Instead, they were met with a sprawling battlefield, with no walls in sight, and a horizon as far as the eye can see. Behind them was most certainly the way out, but no walls alongside it or anything. Like one of those dimensional doors. In any case, the path before them was obvious as they descended into the trenches.

The battlefield around them raged, and the tech as saw was World War I, but it was also accompanied by out of place objects, such as office equipment. Still, they had not yet met any shadows for awhile, and the trenches didn't seem to be designed as a labyrinth, so at least the way forward was obvious. The only thing they've seen so far is shadowy soldiers charging through the battlefield above the trenches, and being slaughtered by unseen machine gun nests.

Still, they best be wary for now...



"Well, they certainly put out the red carpet", led by Kazuki was Akane, Matt, and Noboru. He decided to take to the field again this time, as Kami wasn't around to lead a 2nd group. It wasn't as risky as it was before, because Ayano navigated for Rui's group, while Megumi for Kazuki's.

The theater's interior was unexpected, the exterior certainly looked old fashioned, but it didn't look as gaudy as the inside. There really was a red carpet rolled out for them too, and it led further into the dungeon. Decorations and everything were top notch, everything was almost perfect, it was unnerving. Everything was so well put into place, that a strange fear of messing it up began to come across the party...

"I don't like this feeling... Let's just beat that shadow down and get out...", he commented.

Kotori Shirohane - Corporate War Zone: Floor 1 | Sunday

With some of the group making their preferences known - even if there was little to go by besides the outer appearance of the places they were going to head into - Rui soon came to a decision on who would go where. Megumi would oversee the group heading into the theater, consisting of Akane, Matthew and Noboru whilst being led by Kazuki whilst Ayano would watch over the Rui-led Alexei, Sato and Kotori group that would take on the ominous tower; leaving anyone else to remain behind as backup and protection for their two guides. With the preparations completed thusly, a last few wishes for good luck and the like were exchanged - in Kotori's case a quick "Stay safe" - before they split up to head for their respective destinations. As they drew near, Kotori's eyes wandered up the enormous and ominous tower; her previous fears welling up once again.

However, with a quick shake of her head, Kotori instead looked between her three companions - Rui, who had already led them safely through several dungeons, Sato, who had fought through at least as many dungeons as herself, and Alexei, who had already proven that he could handle his persona and himself during the rescue of his sister. Furthermore, Ayano was there to guide them, warn them and keep them up to speed on everything - so as long as she did her own part, things would work out just fine. At least, that's what Kotori told herself as they reached the tower's base. Rui pushed open the doors which would lead into the dark tower's interior and the start of a massive climb to the spire, somewhere high above the strange clouds of this mirror world.

Except that instead, they found themselves standing on a wide open field. Kotori gave a few confused blinks at that; even stepping back to make sure she wasn't somehow imagining things - but to no avail. On the outside, it was a door which in the tower's massive walls - yet on the inside, it was a door in nothing with no walls for kilometers. Once the confusion over this impossibility subsided - at least partially - they proceeded onwards and into a trench. As they headed through it, they passed shadowy figures who would occasionally jump up out of the trenches but seemed to completely ignore the group.

Looking about, it was almost as if they had landed in the middle of a reenactment of a battle from World War I that they'd learned about in history class - with the minor differences being a lack of real people, the ever-present feeling of strangeness that accompanied the mirror world and the occasional out of place objects such as a filing cabinet among wooden crates or a modern folder laying next to some maps on a table they came across. As they walked through the trenches, Kotori glanced about; wondering if this place was supposed to somehow represent someone's mind - and if so, who would hold so much conflict inside them that it would turn into an entire battlefield.

With no immediate resistance making itself known, there was little left for the group but to advance through the trench and to worry just what they would be facing - at least, that's what Kotori was doing.

The tower... was not what Sato had expected. And not in a good way, either. Looking to the side, he was walking beside Kotori, comforting if only because she was as experienced as he was when it came to dungeons. In front of him walked Alexai, who hopefully had the brain to match the muscle, and Rui, their familiar leader. To Sato, this group was pretty much optimal as far as party composition was concerned.

What wasn't optimal was, of course, the dungeon itself. After parting with the other half of the team (of which was lead by Kazuki and Megumi), they walked up to doors of the skyscraper. Fully expecting something hollow, desolate, and maybe even confined, Sato was shocked to see a wide-open battlefield, stretching seemingly infinitely. No walls or roof to be seen. Why this was disorientating was obvious. It was like they had walked into a whole different world, which, thinking about it, Sato decided wasn't actually too abnormal considering they were in the mirror world.

It would've been arguably better than what he had expected, if the battlefield wasn't in use. Shots were being fired, and silhouettes rushed on the field above the trenches, only to be halted by the bullets of machine guns. It looked like a scene straight out of a history textbook, except that office supplies were littered about, contrasting with the out-dated military equipment. None of the shadows seemed to be targeting them, and as they walked through the trenches, it appeared there weren't any tricks being played.

As the team maneuvered their way in the trenches, Sato's mind wandered to the dungeon itself. As was established, the dungeons had something to do with the victim, so what was with the skyscraper appearance, only to harbor some weird war dimension? The answer didn't come to Sato quickly, so he gave up and focused his attention on the situation at hand. He tried to glance at Rui, but the musculature of Alexai's back blocked his view. Sato would've just re-positioned himself like any normal person, but he felt an odd comfort being behind others. Call it cowardice or something else, Sato justified it by clutching the bow he held harder. Not like he was front line material any way.

All he could do was hope that whoever he was following didn't fall into a pit trap.

==~==

Mako stared at the bookshelf in front of him, grateful that he'd seen this shop while he'd been wandering aimlessly. It helped keep his mind off of... certain recent events. He sighed, frustrated with himself for little discernible reason- he hadn't figured out much about the counter-kidnappers, or the kidnappers themselves, so it wasn't like he could have done anything about this kidnapping, but he was still angry that it happened. Especially since, even three days afterward, he still had no concrete clues about the rescuers' identities. He had suspicions, feelings, hunches- but those were useless for his needs. He needed something more... solid.

He pulled a book off of the shelf, glancing at the cover, then putting it back in disgust as he realized he was too distracted by the case at hand to really care. Shame, really- it had been too long since he found a good manga bookstore. He'd almost given up hope of finding one in Warakuma. Perhaps this one was new?

He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to will away his frustration. These kidnappings are getting to me too much. I hope someone finds the culprit soon, for all of our sakes'- even if I'm not involved in doing so. Seriously, destiny or not, this is getting to be too stressful. He started strolling the aisles of the bookstore, hoping for something to catch his eye and distract him.

Akane Hanazawa // Mirror World - Crossroads ---> Play of Control - F1
Sunday, June 21st, 2015

"Nice guys finish last....huh" she muttered to herself, reciting a popular saying that rang all too true in this situation. If she would've been more forceful in her choice of paths, she could've been having fun in the tower by now. But no, she decided to let the other pick where they wanted to go first and now she finds herself in this dull theater. While it looked better inside, it definitely didn't make her feel any less bored.

Though, that started to change the more they looked around. Everything seemed to be in tip-top shape and there was even a red carpet all rolled out leading further into the dungeon, as if it was expecting them. Well, considering all the strange crap they've been running into and how each dungeon tends to change, maybe the shadows as well? After all the times they've came barging in saving people, they had to have gotten the hint sooner or later that people were coming in and saving others.

"Don't tell me you're getting scared, Kazuki?" Akane teased, clearly not sharing his thoughts on the matter. This strange feeling obviously meant things were finally picking up, like hell she was going to leave the place without getting in her share of fighting. The shadows better not keep her waiting.

As the party went through the trenches, the tension of a battlefield began to thicken around the party. Nothing really escalated or anything, but between the atmosphere and the battle raging above them, it just became more tense. Though finally they reached a clearing in the bunker network. It was a large area, looked like it was used for storage, upon arrival there were shadowy soldiers, just like the ones that were jumping out of the trenches from before. Based on them not attacking, would be safe to say they were allied soldiers...? It was strange considering shadows always attacked them instead. Although for the moment they would have to hold that thought, the a dozen soldiers began to pour in from the battlefield, they were dressed and coloured differently from the ones they were seeing up until now, and within moments the soldiers before them were gunned down by these 'enemy' soldiers... But quickly the party would realize that they were being shot at too.

Darting for cover behind the various crates, the party has entered their first battle in this dungeon.

"Me and Alexei will take the left side, Sato and Kotori, take the right", he ordered. This was going to be a brief battle. On his mark, he had Alexei charge to soldiers with Rui's Persona as cover. Sato and Kotori's plan would be similar, but considering ranged abilities, they should have no problem just trading from behind some cover.



It was a strange sight watching the various 'perfect' decorations, just swipe themselves back into place, once they were bumped into or altered in some way... It almost felt like a controlling child who wanted only his own way. Was it some commentary on the one who was confined within this dungeon...? Regardless, Kazuki seemed quite focus, but also a little off... They weren't sure if he was like this normally, but he felt just as controlling as this dungeon was. The orders felt harsh for one... It was quite different to Rui commanding them.

Pretty soon though they would enter some kind of ballroom, it also looked to double as an entrance hall for a theater. Just as everyone was about to catch their breath and appreciate how nice everything looked despite it being a dungeon, jumping from the rafters far above them were armors, slim, wielding rapier blades, the gaps in their armor filled with what looked to be a shadow's slimy black form.

"Shadows... That armor seems to protect them. They seem to be vulnerable from behind", Megumi's analysis on these shadows was quick... Meaning these were low level shadows, on the other hand, there were easily several of them, and looking up, you can see the glint of even more armors.

"Very well... Then we will make short work of them... Cromwell!", he called forth his Persona. Just as one of the armored swordsmen charged, the Persona Cromwell grabbed it by the helm, and slammed it into the ground before Kazuki quickly followed up and struck the vulnerable back. The armor dismantled, and the shadowy form was vulnerable, allowing Cromwell to impale it on it's blade.

It appears striking the back will dismantle it's armor, rendering it vulnerable to any attack... That was simple enough, but one had to be fast, or have the brute force to force it to make itself vulnerable like Kazuki had shown here...

Kotori Shirohane - Corporate War Zone: Floor 1 | Sunday

Proceeding further through the dungeon - it was strange to call it such when it wasn't an enclosed building of sorts as those before - seemed to get everyone on edge; perhaps even more so due to the strange presence of these shadowy soldiers that seemed to ignore them instead of attacking them, given that previously every creature had always been immediately hostile. No one seemed quite sure if they might not suddenly turn on the group - a tension which only grew further when it seemed that those shadow soldiers were too getting more distraught as they continued.

Finally though, they came to an area where the trenches widened into a storage area of sorts - at least, that's what Kotori assumed given the large number of crates, boxes and occasional office chair all about the area. Again, they found the area to already host some shadowy figures - but again, thankfully, they seemed to ignore the group. However, just moments after their arrivals, another group of soldiers crested the top of the trench sides. These were different from the others in clothing and colour - perhaps soldiers of the other side, whoever these sides might be? This suspicion was confirmed when these dozen soldiers made short work of those in those in the storage area - Kotori winced at the sight, even though they were just shadowy figments of another's imagination.

However, any concern for the soldiers quickly turned to concern for the group and herself when these soldiers turned out to not be inclined to ignore them. Running behind the nearest sturdy-looking crate, Kotori hid behind it for cover; much like the others. Rather than just sit things out in relative safety though, Rui quickly took charge and ordered an attack - Alexei and he would go left whilst Sato and Kotori were to take the right side. "Eh?" was Kotori's immediate response - before she remembered that these really were just shadows rather than real men with real rifles. Quickly she then nodded before taking a calming breath - and then extending an arm: "Kikuri-Hime she called as she clenched her hand into a fist.

As ever, the presence of her persona seemed almost calming. Looking over to Rui and Alexei, the former was just about to give the signal to charge - leading Kotori to glance over to Sato to see if he too was ready before they started their attack. As Rui's Askr led the attack, Kotori peeked around the crates; picking one of the soldiers for a target before speaking: "Kikuri-Hime..." She hesitated for a moment before calling for the attack - but then spoke anyway: "Zi... onga!" And with that, Kikuri-Hime drew the flower in her hands close to herself; her eyes briefly flashing - before a thundering boom washed over the area as a wide streak of lightning crashed into the soldier; more powerful than her previous uses of such a lightning attack - leaving Kotori herself surprised long enough to look between the smoking ashes and Kikuri-Hime only to remember just in time to duck back behind the crates as the soldiers in turn brought their attacks to bear.

Akane Hanazawa // Mirror World - Crossroads ---> Play of Control - F1
Sunday, June 21st, 2015

While Kazuki was starting to get on her nerves, with the way he has been acting so far, Akane kept her cool and went along with it. She doesn't know how he normally is, but if this is how he really is, he's not someone she would want to spend too much time with, that's for sure. Though different from how Rui does things, as long as they get things done and she gets something to fight, she'll play along. Plus, it's better than being stuck with Kami, so it's tolerable.

As they entered a room that seemed to be a ballroom the others seemed to take to it but Akane could only look annoyed, out of all the places she hated to be in, ballrooms give hospitals a run for their money for the #1 spot. When she was little, she was forced to go to them quite often when her dad and her family were entertaining business associates. Being in a dress and having to play nice with slime she'd otherwise slug, wasn't something she could stand.

Not long upon entering the peace was interrupted when several shadows appeared from above. "Took them long enough," while she was relieved that she'll finally have a fight, her relief turned to disappointment when Megumi quickly scanned them. Considering how fast the scan was, they had to have been week. Looks like she won't be getting the fight she wanted quite yet. "Well, whatever, let's put them out of their misery and find us a real fight."

Follow Kazuki's lead, she summoned Setanta and went in with her Katana, serving as a distraction while Setanta attacked the shadows with a Kill Rush from behind.

Matt- Sunday
Play of control F1

After the groups were decided Matt was cheerful over getting the path he wanted, though he didn’t know most his group as much he was sure it would all work out in the end… probably.

The beginning was kinda dull with learning the leader was strict and focused which is super boring oh and he might be a wimp, hopefully Matt still got to fight his way.
“daaa this is boring when do we get to fight or smthn?” Matt voiced out as they ended up in a ballroom.
“alright we gotta be gettin somewhere now”
As Matt spoke everyone noticed the armours in the room and as the scan was completed quickly it was obvious they were kinda week, which wasn't bad in Matt’s books as it meant they could move through quickly.

When everyone learnt the enemies weakness they all seemed to charge in headstrong, so following suit Matt decided it was the best course to take himself.
“one in all in i guess” Matt said holding his machetes up in defeat “Kresnik lets go” summoning his persona Matt let Kresnik be the distraction with an [arm chopper] as he tried to run around behind.