[center][h3][color=#FF7F00]Paper Moon[/color][/h3]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/lV5k7n7.png[/img][/center]

Paper Moon’s eyes lingered on the spot Eclipse Princess just stood, but not in her usual iconic stance.  Her stature had weakened drastically along with her spirit.  All he could do was wordlessly listen to her soliloquy, every single point she made just as valid as the one preceding it.  The words “I just don’t want to lose my only friend.” especially sunk in, and after they had registered and branded themselves on his conscious, he had finally affirmed his theory.  At least he managed to avoid an enraged mob from forming, but he wished there was a better way he could have gone about it.  Judging from Princess’ cry, his words had made their way into the Berserker’s mind too.  Now that his suspicion had been confirmed, he could progress through this endeavor with a proper aim.

[color=#DC143C]”Earth to Paper Moon, are you reading me?”[/color] Strawberry Baby’s voice dragged Moon out of his muse with a hand firmly placed on his shoulder.  The mage didn’t have her usual abrasive expression painted on her face.  Instead, she faced the boy remorsefully.  She too had watched from the sidelines in awe of the speech.  Behind her Drauni was still in the middle of directing the cleanup crew.  Even though Moon was a Sweeper, he knew all too well that this incident couldn’t be simply swept under the rug.  [color=#FF7F00]”This is Ghost Rider, I read you.”[/color] He tried to respond with a joshing smile, but couldn’t find it in himself to maintain the complexion.  The boy stared up at the sky, watching as the trail of Rocket Lancer’s yellow dissipated.  Melancholy was something Moon rarely had to combat, but now he was entirely engulfed in it.  Normally, he would have almost instantly followed up Nyx’s provocation with a witty retort, but he knew that the Assassin only wanted to give the Strykes a little push.  His face ashen, the boy called out to Drauni, [color=#FF7F00]”Hey, think you can manage?”[/color]  The Stryker made an okay gesture with his hand with his attention still fixed on hauling a corpse.

Strawberry Baby’s mien next to Arms Slave’s corpse distorted and glitched as Paper Moon logged out, taking his leave from the scene.

[center][h3][color=#FF7F00]Shiro Kawabata[/color][/h3]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/EhS31Ss.png[/img]
[/center]

A look of honest apology was the first thing Shiro saw when he woke up.  Ken was most likely provided with live updates from Drauni.  Great.  He didn’t have spend time filling him in.  [color=blue]”Shiro, it’s not your fau-”[/color] The club president’s delicate voice stopped short as the recipient of his closure curtly stood up from his desk and rushed past him.  [color=#FF7F00]”I-I need a moment.”[/color] He choked out before slamming the door behind him.  He only made it two feet to his side until the feeling in his legs gave out.  The student sluggishly slid down the wall and soon found himself in a slump.  His head drooped loosely as he breathed in through his clenched teeth.  A real life reenactment of a marionette cut from its strings.  

Shiro wasn’t distraught because he didn’t understand Eclipse’s pleas.  It was due to the fact that he completely understood them, almost to the extent as if they were his own.  Her directive is almost identical to his.  Protecting those dear to oneself regardless of how many, that is Shiro, and as he had just confirmed, also Eris’ resolve.  With Cassandra as her the only person she could rely on, it’s only natural that she would prioritize her above all else.  Yet Shiro couldn’t sit around knowing a mentality like that had brought about such happenings.  Shouldering all of the derision for one person was noble, but if she were to fall, that collective would only cascade and fall onto the person she loves.  The boy could only feel contrition for the girl.  But tonight, he would make amends, and hopefully put an end to the loop Eris has placed herself in.

Shiro remained there, with his head resting on crossed arms supported by his knees.  Curled up in a little ball, even the normal passerby would raise a few quesitons.  Meanwhile, Ken and Akane waited for Aaron to return to reality.
[@KoL][@Mega Birb]