Crimmy

A Certain Variegated Pseudepigraphum [Toaru/Raildex RPG]

Incidentally, @ADamnFiddle, you still around?

A Certain Variegated Pseudepigraphum [Toaru/Raildex RPG]

About how far away is the nearest medical center?

@DarkwolfX37

However far you want it to be.

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

hi venom

Heroes of Beacon - Contest of Champions

"Sors avec moi."

Valentinian Mindaro clamped down on his urge to curse out loud, his brain having managed to work faster than his mouth for the first time in his fifteen years of life. Except he'd have really liked for it to have done its fucking job ten seconds earlier, because it got its ass into gear too late to stop him from shitting the bed. His chest was throbbing in shame, and he could feel all the blood rushing up into his head from the embarrassment. His hands were clammy with sweat, but he fought back against the urge to wring his own goddamned neck with them. He was seriously already à chier. No way was he gonna be some retarded diarrhoea-ridden dog too.

This was supposed to be his fucking moment. But instead of doing it properly like on TV or whatever the guys said was the right way, he'd done his usual asshole schtick. Godfuckingdamnit. Il ne sait rien faire de ses dix doigts. Three weeks of hand-wringing and he'd trashed it like he'd coat-hanger'd a baby.

He tried not to look at those pretty green eyes of hers. There was zero chance of salvaging this shit. The only thing on his mind was just all that shame and loathing filling him up. Hah, fucking Valentinian Mindaro finally getting his face shoved into the dirt because he screwed up with a girl. With his best friend. That was a riot and a half.

Except ... she wasn't saying anything.

Valentinian coughed into a pale fist. Fuck. Why wasn't she saying anything? This was getting really fucking awkward for him, okay? He didn't know how to do this shit. Was this supposed to happen? Shit, did she not wanna talk to him or something? Maybe it'd be better if she didn't? He had zero fucking idea on what to do. Look at her? Look away from her? Run away like some pussy bitch with their tail between their legs? The atmosphere of awkward ... c'est des conneries.

"Just fucking say it," he blurted out. His face was burning red. He couldn't handle it. If he'd completely screwed it, then fuck it, there wasn't any way out. That feeling of black despair twisting around his heart - he just wanted it fucking gone. "Severa, just fucking ... refuse or something. I dunno don't just stand around and ..."

He trailed off. God, he wished he could time travel and coat hanger himself right now. It was like his brain had been replaced by some drowned retard's. A drowned retard who was in the middle of screwing over his oldest friend just because the other guys told him to ask her out. And instead of thinking it through, he'd straight up just confronted her in the middle of a hallway. In front of so many fucking other students. Shaming both of them with his disgusting failure of a confession.

"Ah, um -"

Severa's face was red too, and she was trying to look anywhere but at him. In this case, she was looking down at her textbooks. Valentinian couldn't blame her for that. He didn't wanna look at himself either. Or at the whispering crowds. Once again, he was reminded that he'd really fucked it all up. There was no other way to explain why she had steam coming out of her ears like that.

Valentinian held a palm to his forehead, a frustrated hiss leaving his mouth. "Goddamnit, fuck. I'm sor-"

"I'm sorry!"

Severa's eyes were squeezed shut. His stomach fell even more. Here it was. Failure time inbound.

"But you have to buy me chocolate first!"

... What?

---

It started three weeks ago.

Hanging out on the rooftop had become a favourite past time of Valentinian and his pals, mostly because the view was pretty fucking sweet. As much as it reminded them of how shitty they were compared to those Sanctum kids up on that floating mountain, it was hard to deny that floating mountains were still cool as shit. And the rooftop gave them a perfect look of that floating campus. He wasn't exactly an artist or anything, but it was like some Claude Monet shit right there, and they didn't even need to sneak into a museum to see it.

Sure, school rules said they weren't allowed on the rooftop either, but none of les profs actually gave a single shit. Who would, anyway? It wasn't like them tripping over the side and splattering against the concrete like a pancake was gonna change much.

"You should avoid splattering against the concrete like a pancake."

Valentinian didn't need to look up to know who'd just approached. Even if he was hanging upside down off the edge of the rooftop, he could tell if his best friend was nearby from miles away. He heard her voice everyday, for one, and besides that, she ate the exact same brand of cheap chocolate every single day. That sweet scent was instantly recognisable. Her arteries or whatever were going to burst if she kept doing that. Or she'd get diabetes. Or turn into a fatty monster. Either way, she really needed to cut back on it. It'd be a shame if a cute girl like her got done in by chocolate of all fucking things.

"Humans aren't pancakes," he replied, swinging up. His pal sitting next to him (Gazon) grabbed him and pulled him the last few inches so he was properly sitting upright. Severa was standing in front of them, lips quirked up in a mild smile. "So stop thinking you'd get to eat my corpse or something. That's fucking gross."

"Maybe if you accepted more of my sweets you could approach edibility, Val," sniffed Severa, crossing her arms. "You reject my generosity all the time."

Getting all sugar'd up wasn't gonna make him taste sweet anyway. Funarius'd actually went to the effort of testing that (was that what scientists were supposed to fucking do? Perform weirdass experiments for no reason?), and that guy didn't get stuff wrong much. Besides, there was no way he was accepting Severa's sweets anyway. Not when she always looked like a kicked puppy whenever she was handing over any part of her precious candy stock.

"Be more honest with yourself first," he snorted. "Every time you're trying to force feed me your choco it looks like you're gonna cry."

Severa seemed mildly offended. "My, I certainly wouldn't cry!" she declared, stepping forth to gently prod him in the chest. "I'll show you that I can give out all my choco with nary a tear!"

Valentinian's steely gaze was bland. "You sure?"

"Of course. Here, Gazon, you can take this bar."

His pal caught the chocolate wordlessly, giving a thumbs up in return. Severa's expression didn't seem to change at all.

Or at least, she was keeping it in well.

"Give it all to Gaz and we'll talk."

"I'm not giving all of my chocolate to Gazon, that's unhealthy for him."

Hypocrite - the word that Valentinian knew was going through the minds of every single boy currently monopolising the edge of the rooftop.

"Then divvy it up with everybody else. You'll be in tears for sure."

Severa hesitated for a second, before her expression became firm. She nodded, as if reassuring herself, and immediately placed down her plastic bag in front of them. "Here then, this is my generosity! All of you are allowed to take as much as you want!"

Valentinian's friends all went straight for the bag. He, on the other hand, didn't. Instead, he was watching her face, noting the twitching of her facial muscles every time another portion of her hard-earned cache of candy was taken by the mates. She was seriously stubborn about this, wasn't she? Man, the gal really needed to be more fucking honest.

"You're a real top dame, lady."

"Fuckin' A."

"Sweet."

Sounds of approval rose from his group of friends. Severa was still trying her best not to react.

"See?" she said once all the sweets had been consumed. "I didn't cry! I'm not so greedy that I can't give away all my sweets!"

It sounded pretty legit, but Valentinian was sure that it would've been more believable if she wasn't trying to awkwardly shift her face away from view.

"Anyway -" Her back was already facing them. "I just came by to remind you to come to class in the afternoon. You can bask in the glorious taste of the choco."

She was already shuffling away.

"She's finding a place to cry," said Valentinian once she disappeared from view.

"Don't be so harsh on cute girls, man," Gazon said. "You ain't gonna catch her like that."

"Thought she's already sa copine?" asked one of the others. "You two sure act like it."

"Nah they're not a thing," corrected another. "Lucky for us, cuz we got a chance too."

"That's sure not very comradely."

"Hey, just sayin'. You'd think Val'd gone for it already, right? If he hasn't, then it's fine if we try."

"It's not that important" said Valentinian dismissively, feeling very confused by his friend's conversation.

There was a moment of silence.

"Man, you're a dense motherfucker."

"You two are like, already dating man."

"Go seal the deal quick else you're outta time."

"That's right," said Gazon with a nod, placing a rough hand on Valentinian's shoulder. "I dunno if you've noticed, but people already think you're tight. But if you're not ..."

He trailed off for emphasis.

"... look, just go for it man. You pretty obviously dig her, you just haven't realised."

Valentinian brushed his friend away. "I get it, I get it," he replied, slightly irritated. "Look, it's fine. Severa and me are great amis. You don't need to worry about it."

Sure, Severa was a pretty girl, but they were best mates. That was fine. She had a really cute smile, great personality, and he enjoyed hanging out with her whenever. Even if she as super stubborn a lot of the fucking time. It was really easy to tease her like that, too. That was all he needed. There wasn't really anything else to it. No need to get closer.

No need.

Definitely no need.

"Let's go hit up class. Don't wanna make her worry."

But the thought seriously just wasn't leaving his fucking mind.

---

"Le chocolat," she repeated, her face flushed with red. "Tu achètes. Pour moi. Oui?"

Her tone was equally as embarrassed as his. Valentinian awkwardly looked down. She ... wasn't rejecting him? That was right, right? He hadn't fucked up. The whispers around them had grown louder. He had no fucking clue what to do in this situation. It wasn't like he had any experience before or anything? What the fuck was he supposed to do?

And why buy her chocolate?

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

"You were responsible for me giving away all my choco," she repeated firmly, looking at the ground. "So you have to buy me more. We'll go out to the supermarket. Okay? That's where the date is. You're buying me choco first."

Oh.

Valentinian could feel the relief bubbling up from within. That was what she meant? She was still annoyed by having to give away all her sweets? He couldn't fucking help it. He just had to laugh. The sonorous chuckling that immediately quietened so many of the bystanders. Man, she was so fucking stubborn about her chocolate, wasn't she?

But, this was fine.

He liked that part of her anyway.

"Fine fine," he said. His grin had widened immensely, but he couldn't be fucked caring about it. It didn't matter. "We'll get you your fucking choco."

Seeing that bright, cute smile of hers made everything else worth it.

A Certain Variegated Pseudepigraphum [Toaru/Raildex RPG]

@Krayzikk@Etranger

Dhṛtarāṣṭra - Night, School District 15, Inside Office Building

"Weird for you to pick a terrorist suit, hero!"

The leggy, endowed girl was very 'quick on the uptake'. It was not good for any skedaddling attempts, but it was making this night super exciting, you know?! He was the distraction, so the bigger the flash, the bigger the bang, the better it was for his friend's goal! Easy, right? Even in the dusty darkness, the wide grin was very visible on Dhṛtarāṣṭra's sharp looks. He was 'seriously pumped' right now, because he and her were really going to make a scene here.

He would have landed later than her, but her 'fast-thinking' meant he was gonna have to 'scratch that off the list'. The landing was a 'no-go' for him. The same moment the dust flew for his eyes and she stepped in, his fingers were pointing forth, and the air between them detonated like a firework, a flash of light, heat and noise that blew more and more of the dust into the air ... and sent him flying unnaturally (but purposefully, heat radiating from his back) away from her, his feet skidding along the wall of the room with loud screeches. If he was going to be rude about it, then he would say it 'hurt like a bitch', and his face was contorting into winces from the pain. It was not as intense as the one he had catalysed earlier, because all this wanted to do was simply push him away so he could get on the wall, right? But it still hurt a lot, and his eyes were all runny and red.

He dropped to the floor with an 'oof'. He was putting the distance between them. That girl was probably all okay, maybe a little more dazed than him after the explosion 'took her around the block' for a bit, but that would buy him some time to 'get his bearings' as well. Except he didn't get that time, because the moment the blonde staggered up, he had to deal with the chair coming at him 'completely out of the blue'. Not at all expected by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, right?

The windows had shattered opened and some new fellow had come in to throw a chair at him. It looked like telekinesis, but if it was something else, it still looked like TK. 'If it quacks like a duck, then it's a duck' was the idiom, yes?. He dove for the floor once again, but the edge of the chair caught him in his left shoulder, sending him spiralling into a roll along the floor. The pain was lancing through his arm like lightning.

Not good at all.

But his distraction was getting more people to see him. That was very good, yes? Very exciting as well, right? Dhṛtarāṣṭra decided that his plan 'had it in the bag'. He pushed himself up, gasping for breath from the stinging pain. He was closer to the newcomer and the window now, while the girl was further back. Two people. A broken window if he wanted to get out. A hole in the ceiling if he wanted to get out. Lots of things to play with in the office complex.

There should have been a need to worry here, but he did not mind at all!

He picked up the metal leg of the office chair, which had rolled near him after the chair had nicked him and crashed into the wall, splitting entirely in half. The casters were still connected, their wheels swivelling as he lifted it up. It was good to have a makeshift weapon, right? And it could be useful in other ways too, yes? He held it aloft, twitching it slightly to beckon his foes to come.

---

@Plank Sinatra@Avant

Gandharva - Night, School District 15, The Street

Despite his attempts at disguising himself from view, it appeared that one of the individuals had managed to notice his presence. If it had been in any other situation, he would have been in a great conundrum, and very much shamed by a failure to perfectly remove every single trace of himself. However, the focus he had placed on speed over properly, elegantly carrying out his tasks had ensured that the more perceptive and attentive would discover him. It was an unfortunate turn of events, and Gandharva could not say he was not disappointed in himself. Yet he had never possessed much choice in the matter.

His escape was undignified, and even as his feet pounded rhythmically against the cold tarmac, the lifeless, flaccid body upon his shoulders jerked to and fro, its distorted form serving as more discomfort for him in this unwanted and unfortunate task. It was too unsubtle an operation. As unsubtle as the screams of his pursuer, whose footsteps were becoming closer and closer.

Faster and faster.

In the nightly silence of the district's less-visited areas, the rapid advance of his pursuer could be incredibly intimidating. It was at an unnatural pace that the screaming demon seemed to run with, suggesting the presence of Esper powers. That was an irritating talent to deal with. Far more irritating than the wild pink substance that arced through the darkness above him, failing to reach its mark and instead colliding with a nearby lamppost, consuming the metal and blinding the once-dull illuminance forever.

Humankind was renowned for its ability to aim its throws, but if his location was unknown to that attacking Esper, then the dangers they represented were low, any shot of that strange substance diverging from his true direction. It was the beastly European that was at the forefront of the obstacles that could halt his retreat.

Gandharva's left hand unconsciously moved to his waist.

If they got any closer, then he would need to deal with them as quickly and elegantly as possible.

He continued to run, rapidly turning a corner into a dark alleyway. He had a destination in mind, a place where he could rendezvous with his comrade. Relying on a public arena to mask his movements was undignified, a risk that could as easily turn upon him if he were to make a single misstep. However, the Dianoid was the chosen location for his rendezvous. It would simply have to do.

A Certain Variegated Pseudepigraphum [Toaru/Raildex RPG]

@DarkwolfX37 Nothing stopping Shion from noticing that the body's gone, and maybe chasing after that crazed Irishman who threw himself in front of a bus, or if she wants to, go pursue the guy responsible for the explosion who very prominently dropped a hole in a rooftop.

A Certain Variegated Pseudepigraphum [Toaru/Raildex RPG]

Checking up to see how everybody's doing.

Record of UTX - Special Investigation Team [SRWOG/Mecha]

@Plank Sinatra@Shiyonichi@GarlandDaHero@Krayzikk@Write

Connacht Airspace, Earth

As the entirety of UTX Team took to the skies, they were joined by the personnel of the Irish base that had been available to respond to the deployment order. It was a limited number available to assist the experimental unit, with only six Federation Armoured Modules forming up in a V-formation alongside them. Four of them were the standard RAM-004 of Lion produced by Isurugi Industries, but the two taking point were slightly more distinct. One possessed a larger railgun, identifying it as the F variant, while the dazzling emerald colouring of the flight lead and prominently equipped Assault Blade immediately revealed it to be the improved V variant, a sign that its pilot was a commander.

The comms were opened, and the face of a lantern-jawed man with an aquiline nose and wavy white hair (streaked with black) tied back into a ponytail appeared on the screens of the UTX Team's machines. A certain sense of smug bemusement seemed to infuse his being, which the half-smile he was sporting did nothing to disprove. And most importantly, when it spoke, it was immediately clear that he wasn't a native to the country he had been deployed in.

"Hell of an introduction to the country, eh UTX?" he remarked wryly. "I'm sure you were looking for something more hospitality, but what can you do, eh?"

With the speed at which Personal Troopers and Armoured Modules travelled, the five kilometres between them and the confirmed DC hostiles was not exactly a great distance to cover, and the Irish base's flight lead was keenly aware of it. His joking greeting out of the way, the man was ready to do business, attention shifting towards the enemy units that were entering range.

"Oof, tally sixteen hostiles at two o'clock, DC's on its A-game."

Nearly an entire squadron of Armoured Modules in DC colours had come to meet them, their composition as remarkably diverse as that of the defending Federation group. Two teams of four Lions hovered above the waters of the Abha na Sionainne, with two Guarlions each taking point respectively. Six Landlions, very likely equipped with Screw Modules, were slightly ahead of them, zipping across the surface of the river below them, clearly seeking to emerge at the Loch Aillionn.

They had a goal, and were ready to engage to achieve it.

"Hope a bit of action's a good enough welcome, UTX," said the flight lead with a chuckle. "This is Maine 1, we're going buster to the Lions to the east. UTX, good hunting on your end! Don't bug out too soon, eh?"

Even as the entire squadron of DC Armoured Modules fired off an opening salvo of Homing Missiles at the exact same time, the Irish team broke off from the formation, thrusters blasting them forth as they drew off the incoming attacks, attempting to weave towards the easternmost enemies.

---

Victory Condition: Destroy all enemies.
Defeat Condition: Any UTX unit shot down. Maine 1 shot down.
Battle Mastery: ???

A Certain Variegated Pseudepigraphum [Toaru/Raildex RPG]

Vague reference for Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Blonde prettyboy. Not actually super deformed.

Persona in Wonderland: A Persona RP.

@The Jest

The High Priestess - Meredith Fong

All the sensations was really working against the "dreaminess" of the dream she was having, if it was actually a dream in the first place. Was it a really vivid dream, or had her PJs been stolen away and replaced by stuff in her closet without her even knowing? That was a question that she didn't know the answer to, but Meredith didn't know if she could get a solid idea to what was true any time soon. Everyone else was just as confused as her, and she couldn't really blame them. People who were figments of her brainwaves would think like her, right?

She let out a ponderous hum. She really had to give it to her brain; the sheer verisimilitude was making it almost indistinguishable to reality (or maybe a mass hallucination?). So the jacket-clad youth decided on her course of action. If she couldn't tell if it was real or not, then she would just have to be safer than sorry, er, it was better for her to be safe than sorry - Meredith shook her head, squishing her palms against her cheeks. What she wanted to say was: it was better to be safe than sorry, so she'd just have to treat everything in this place as real!

So, that meant she was definitely in a place called the Butter Daisy Forest, although maybe she was misunderstanding that. And if the rabbit who was most familiar and knowledgeable with this place wanted her to run, then she'd run, right?

That buff, Australian fellow seemed like a good reason to.

Meredith immediately turned, legs pumping as she broke into a run.