ERode

Kurai Majokko

_@Emeth

“Yup! And the added benefit of that would be to see how good Shatterscape is at swimming with those big-ass claws of hers!”

There was no doubt about it, and it wasn’t as if it was difficult to reach the ocean either. Sequestered from the rest of Japan by its natural features, Hibusa had ready access to both the mountains and the ocean. From here, Nonsuch figured that she could even throw Evil Eye into the waves if she used enough force. But…well, that was a bit too much force for a first encounter. And as for the more important part?

“This isn’t another one of those questions-that-aren’t-questions, is it?” Nonsuch teased, mirroring her companion’s head-tilt and leg-cross. “I think it’d be funny, having everyone dote on you and act all apologetic, while you know what the truth is. And for me? I get to see a Shatterscape that isn’t trying to be all poetic and serious. Maybe.”

Hopefully.

But the conversation continued, the illusions of less-edgy magical girls drawing a raised brow from the paladin. Cyclic sunrises and sunsets drew a little ‘ooo’ of appreciation out of Nonsuch too, but, if she were to be honest? A light magical girl that wasn’t working alone wasn’t a genuine article. There only needed to be one. Miseria weren’t such overbearing threats that you needed more than a single light magical girl to deal with them, after all. Perhaps, though, it was destiny then, that foretold Evil Eye would always become fallen?

“A hug would be a wonderful thing.”

She stood up.

“But from where I stand, Evil Eye, I’m more curious. Everyone falls too easily, you see?” The sheer numbers that flocked to Hibusa was indicative enough of that. With so many of them, how do any even eat their share? They don’t. The cracks were present since the numbers exceeded more than the fingers of one hand. “And because they all fall, I’d rather like to see…”

One hand was broken, but the other wasn’t. It was that one that Nonsuch extended, as if reaching for the voyeur’s throat.

“…what would happen if I raised them up.”

Metal gauntlets closed upon the corner of the offending phone instead, plucking it gently from Evil Eye’s hand. Pinching it like that, she swung it from side to side, a softer, more contemplative expression on her face.

“Would they rise? Or would they hang?”

Somewhat clumsily, Nonsuch typed a reply into the group chat (metal gauntlets didn’t work well and her other hand wasn’t in any shape for tip-tapping). A simple, vague sentence. One that promised either weal or woe, but one that lacked the context to fall in any particular direction for those who've read it.

I changed my mind.

And the phone was returned to Evil Eye, the paladin’s teeth flashing once more.

“Wouldn’t want to hold up your dinner party, Evil Eye. So, how do you wanna end this?”

Iris Ascendis

@NanayaTo confirm, is the Main Building that Otis sees a different side of the building that Ciara saw? Or would, judging by distance, they appear to be completely different buildings?

Sundered Samsara (Honkai Impact 3rd - a Third Era AU)

Remember.

As you are now, the usage of Steamwork Rook’s Burst is simply detrimental.

…

Ten minutes to destination, and Yu-Ri wasn’t sure whether she was excited or anxious. There had been no particular events previously to get the squad comfortable with each other, and it showed in the silent nature of the one that was their team leader. Jessica Richter, the thoroughbred Anti-Entropy member. They had encountered each other a few times in Salt Lake City, but neither made much of a connection with the other. There was a divide in temperament that made casual friendship difficult. A bit of a shame, in truth. She was the only one in the squad that Yu-Ri could easily put a name to. The rest?

One looked as if they had chosen ‘unremarkability’ as their sole character trait.

Another was about as much as you could expect from the European-centric organization of Schicksal, blonde haired, blue-eyed, drop-dead gorgeous, and stony-faced.

The third gave off an even more ‘leave me alone’ aura than their team leader, despite how drastically loud her haircut was. The vacuum-sealed bodysuit was impressive though. It almost looked as if were painted on.

The fourth, at least, gave off some friendlier vibes from the get-go. Her suit glowed in the dim lighting of the transport vessel, crimson circuitry looking a good deal more ominous than a C-Rank Valkyrie ought to be, but Yu-Ri wasn’t exactly the definition of family-friendly herself, not with burn scars peeking out from her prosthetic limbs and the general spikiness that was necessitated from a gothic dress built for combat.

Still. It was going to be a long ten minutes to stew in one’s thoughts. Three check-ups had been enough for the C-Rank Valkyrie; any more and she’d be second-guessing the maintenance of scientists and engineers that have had a couple decades more of experience than her in cybernetics and human-machine interfacing. She closed her eyes, feeling the rumbling of the engine tickling her eardrums, breathing in the smell of oil and perfume, of sweat and leather. Counted to ten. And…

The sensation of metal slapping against her cheeks was a good deal more painful than if it were flesh on flesh, but it did enough to force Yu-Ri out of nervous hesitation. The consequences and benefits of having fully-metal arms.

“Alright, it’s a bit quiet here! I know some of you have probably read up on each other, but self-introductions are pretty important for in-person stuff, right? So I’ll start and we can go counter-clockwise from there. Toss in a fact about Rouen too, if you know anything about it.” A bit forceful, but when was it not? Her eyes, ashen but burning, swept through the gloom as her thumb jabbed against her chest. Metal against metal. “I’m Yu-Ri Yun, but you can call me any combination of those syllables, if you’d like. I haven’t been to Rouen myself, or France in general before, but Normandy’s like, where D-Day happened, right? Is that where Rouen is too?”

She knew the answer, of course. But a question was better than a statement for eliciting participation.

Sundered Samsara (Honkai Impact 3rd - a Third Era AU)

Finally balanced.

Except for types.

Why Were We Reincarnated as Orcs?!

@ZerothNaw, s'all good. I'll pick up some moar MP then. Gotta ward off senility.

Why Were We Reincarnated as Orcs?!

Quick post pasted. By the way, Zeroth, was there any level up hijinks for Esfir? Noting that some others hand gotten it.

Why Were We Reincarnated as Orcs?!

She didn't understand why Vola was laughing, but it was good enough that they still could laugh. Get it out of their system. Let the adrenaline run its course. And, presuming the answer was accurate, it was good that there was a 'force multiplier' for magic. It must have been a Fire Bolt that triggered that explosion. Maybe something along the lines of a creature inside the cave that had...

Hah.

...that had plenty of gas built up its bowels.

Akeno, however, was correct, the roar that resounded just moments after she had called out about whatever inside the mountain being away of them enough of a signal that a true monster was present. A screech that reverbrated into her bones, nothing like the wolves that howled into the night, the rumbling of bears starving after a long winter. It was more of a chicken with some guts, screeching out with a damaged throat. Esfir's gaze followed the trajectory of the cave's path. The ceiling dipped down, and then rose upwards, leading perhaps to the den of the awakened monster. Could they outrun it? Dive down the slope that they had spent so long climbing up? Was it time to cut their losses, with nothing but a handful of rocks, and try a kinder hunting spot?

Why hadn't she simply taken those Elwets and returned to camp like that?

Esfir Kosova, a spinster withering away in an abandoned shack in the middle of a barren forest, two hours away from civilization.

She had an Elwet beak, within which she stored smouldering embers. Some foul-smelling berries and leaves. Two antlers. A sparkstone. A set of unnnatural abilities. And ninety years of keeping her head down, of believing in smart choices, of trusting in promises made by those above her. Her memories were making her reckless, perhaps. Her left toe was scratching against the ground, her sunken eyes staring deeper inside the mountain cave.

She drew her line in the sand and treated it as a groove in concrete.

"Leave if you don't have anything else to give. Hide or run; I'll keep whatever's inside busy enough for you three to do so."

Stupid way to reclaim her youth, ambushing something that sounded like it was ten times her size. But all it took was a satchel of peppers to chase off a beast. How much more could a monster take?
@Unkown58@Crusader Lord@King Cosmos

Iris Ascendis

_@Nanaya

Perhaps Wingram was a mistake.

That was the conclusion Otis fell upon as he shot a backward glance towards the boy and saw that a short sequence of simple questions was enough to cause his brain to short-out, reduced to a drooling buffoon that could hardly run in a straight line. And a race like this to the auditorium? That was more liable to benefit athletic idiots and violent barbarians than the scholarly and astute. Was this the true essence of Wingram Academy? Not a place of higher learning, not even a place where one could delve into the mysteries of the ‘talent’ called Ethos, but rather a breeding den of brainwashed goons who’d raise their blades for ideals not their own?

Well, soldiers had their place in society. The crown needed excess fat, hands that could dirty themselves in their place. Loyalty from a zealot was far more useful than the mercenary calculations of a disillusioned veteran.

Far more useful to Otis as well.

Davil of the Vaalin Union, who sought the conquest of Mirris. He possessed shoes that aided in the control of Ethos, something that Otis himself had never required or even considered before, while his ability itself was flight for 30 seconds every 24 hours. No data on speed, but control certainly needed to be improved for utility. Activation phrase is short, as far as phrases went. Linearic isn’t a word, and Liner referred to the fabric used to protect the inside of a garment. Perhaps it would improve after understanding one’s prime essence. Perhaps it wasn’t an Ethos meant for flight to begin with.

His mother believed in him. Optimistic, or perhaps just there to not hurt his feelings. He made it to Wingram as a prospective student anyhow.

Alright.

“I’m Otis Tan Arillo.” The wheels churned as he continued to skate forwards, down the next cluster of buildings in the distance. Cafeteria was mapped. Playground couldn’t be mapped, but it was unlikely that it would lead to a possible auditorium. The Strigidae bent his legs and leaned forwards, accelerating over the well-paved roads. “And you’ll pass this test, so long as you keep up with me.”

If the dark-haired girl betrayed him, he could always seek her out. The telepathic link, in the end, was simply a test of trust, the veneer of an alliance.

“In return, Davil, give me one week with your shoes and your Ethos.”

It was just scientific curiousity. Nothing more.

Why Were We Reincarnated as Orcs?!

Boss fight let’s gooooo.

Kurai Majokko

This is some popcorn-worthy shit. Don't need to watch Oppenheimer when I can just continue to read Neonshaker on the drip feed.