LuckyBlackCat

Shadow Contract: A Demon-Slaying Action RP

@Rune_Alchemist @RolePlayerRoxas @Raineh Daze

With a laugh, Kaida looked over at Akira, who tried to forcibly move Nyoko, with no success. The contented feline stayed put on the keyboard, heedless of the string of gibberish she made appear across the screen, her fluffy belly exposed. "Aw, but look how happy they both are!" Kaida's gaze flicked from Nyoko to Emi, whose lips twitched as if she were struggling not to smile. "Go on, pet her! You know you want to! And hey, we've got to celebrate our victory somehow!" They'd all just narrowly escaped a collapsing building, and that was far from the only close call this branch had ever had. It only made sense to make the most of being alive.

Tiny sparks caught her attention. Nyoko had her paw pressed against the computer monitor, a mischievous glint in her eyes, the warning obvious. "I think she's saying pet her or the computer gets it," Kaida told Emi. If Nyoko went through with it, they'd likely all get in trouble for allowing it to happen and have to chip in for a replacement, but it was worth it for the chance of seeing Emi give in to her barely-concealed cuteness adoration.

Harold's Academy for the Magically Inclined

Sylvia Copeland and Lhoren Ashdale

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Day 1 ◈ Time: Night ◈ Weather: Moderate Rain ◈Location: Harold's Academy, Main Ballroom ◈ Participants: Sylvia Copeland, Lhoren Ashdale @Silver Carrot

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Shrugging, Sylvia turned her attention away from Grumble, back to Lhoren. It'd be an intriguing matter to look into later, but the dance came first. "Thanks, I'm sure it'll be fine though." She mentally repeated it to herself, attempting to quell any stray doubtful thoughts. It'll be fine, it'll be fine... "At least dancing in the air means you don't have to worry about getting your toes stepped on."

Slowly, she placed one hand on Lhoren's shoulder and the other on her waist, keeping her touch feather-light. It wasn't just out of nervousness. If anything startled her and made her finger claws appear, this way she wouldn't hurt her dance partner. "Like this, right?"

Lhoren stifled a chuckle, and looked at Sylvia with a slightly cocked head and a warm smile. Any doubts Lhoren had about Sylvia's merit as a dance partner disappeared when she could see how earnestly she was trying, and fretting about it. It was pretty cute.

"This is exactly right, if you were trying to just hug me," Lhoren replied in a playfully teasing tone, before taking the hand that was on her waist, clasping it in her own. She held both hands outstretched in a ballroom hold before slipping her other hand around Sylvia's waist, settling on her back. She respected Sylvia's desire to keep some distance for her own safety but hoped that as Sylvia got more comfortable, her grip on Lhoren's shoulder might improve.

"I'm ready to go up when you are," she said, whilst pulling her a little bit closer so that they'd actually be able to keep their grip on each other. "Take us to the air when you're ready. I'll match you."

Sylvia returned Lhoren's warm smile with a strained one, although the latter's non-judgemental attitude put her mind at ease somewhat. "I-I knew that!" she blurted, forcing a chuckle, knowing full well Lhoren would see through her pretense, to her total and utter lack of knowledge of ballroom dancing.

Keeping her own grip on Lhoren's hand loose, she nodded. "Ready." With that, she pushed off of the ground with one of her feline feet, bending her other leg as if leaping, although her ascent was slow enough for the two to maintain their grip on each other. Glancing at the airborne duos all around, she took a mental note of their moves, although that didn't tell her how to begin a dance.

Lhoren floated up with Sylvia, matching her speed, though her grip on Sylvia's waist kept her anchored regardless. She was mainly trying to share the burden of weight. Lhoren was a good dancer alone and a good dancer on the ground, as well as a rather gifted flier, but putting it all together and dancing in the air with a partner was admittedly something she'd only ever done once, at last year's ball. And back then her gift was still new enough to her to heavily distract her. Her only dance had been a disaster back then. Now, she'd had well over a year to become accustomed to her gift, and it should no longer pose an issue.

Lhoren, as the one in the 'male' position, as well as the more experienced dancer, took the lead, and began moving, swaying forwards, causing Sylvia to sway forwards too due to the nature of the ballroom hold.

'Just follow me, watch my movements and try and go with the flow. I'll chime in telepathically if you need any help,' Lhoren spoke into Sylvia's mind, so that she could be heard over the music and chatter around them. Lhoren continued to sway back and forth gracefully, keeping the dance slow and simple for the moment.

With a nod, Sylvia swayed along to the rhythm of the music. Her movements were stiff at first, but gradually loosened to a relaxed grace as her nerves eased. This much, at least, she could manage - despite the fact that she hadn't danced with a partner before, not even at last year's ball. Back then, between her uncontrolled gift and her lack of social experience, she'd just hung around by the food, watching the others waltz and chat with apparent ease.

The same ease Lhoren displayed right now. "You're a pretty good dancer, you know," Sylvia commented. "I mean, you probably just heard me think that anyway, but figured I'd tell you."

Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Tessa and Raff pulling off graceful twirls and synchronised arm flaps. Her stomach fluttered like a swarm of blue-spotted winks at the reminder that the dance was about to get a great deal more complex.

"Thank you!" Lhoren cheerfully replied, her warm smile growing to a beaming one as she got more into the dance. The more comfortable Sylvia got, the less Lhoren held back. "I've loved dancing since I was a little girl. It's one of my favourite hobbies. I even chose fencing in combat class because it was the closest thing to dancing they had."

Lhoren heard Sylvia's thoughts regarding Tessa and Raff, and looked to see them dancing. They had already shifted into high gear together. "Of course, Tessa is on an entirely different level. I hope I can dance half as well as her by the time I graduate," she mused as she sighed slightly, before her smile grew again and she looked back at Sylvia with what the troublemaker would immediately recognize as an...audacious expression. She switched back to telepathy.

'Doesn't watching them make you want to try kicking it up a notch too? Quick, raise your arm to make an arch I can fit under.'

Lhoren then twirled underneath. Her floaty white dress was swishing from the movement and making her own graceful movements look more impressive and ever-so-slightly ethereal. Another voice rang out in Sylvia's head.

'Now straighten your arm and lean back.' was the next command, as Lhoren did the same, before pulling herself back into Sylvia's arms and returning to the ballroom hold. A few of the couples around them were now noticeably watching the two of them after that.

"How was that for you?" Lhoren asked, beaming, exhilarated and jubilant after being allowed to show off a little.

Sylvia's eyes briefly flicked back to Tessa. "She really is quite something," she replied, lips curving upwards as her expression matched Lhoren's. It looked like Lhoren agreed with her as to Tessa's attractiveness. "I'm sure you can pull off those moves no problem too though!"

Realising this would prompt Lhoren to try exactly that, she regretted her words. Sure enough, that was the next thing Lhoren suggested. Wincing inwardly, Sylvia gave a nervous laugh. "Yep, let's go for it!" It was going to happen sooner or later, and it'd be selfish to stifle Lhoren, but still, the risk of embarrassing both herself and her dance partner in front of everyone loomed large. Tamping down the morass of worries before they could overwhelm Lhoren, she raised her arm in a fluid motion. Lhoren's twirl was an impressive sight to behold, her flowing dress and nimble movements giving her an otherworldly look, like a nymph or fairy.

"Nice! Ok, I've got this!" Sylvia leaned back at the same time Lhoren did, only for her hand to slide out from her fellow dancer's due to her loose grasp. "Ehh! Sorry about that!" Her grin an awkward rictus, she tilted forward and gripped Lhoren's hand again. By now, several pairs of eyes bored into them. She wanted to shrink back from the stares, but to lose her nerve now would be to make both of them look bad.

"Heheheh... Quite the learning experience!" she responded to Lhoren's question. "I'll give the twirl a try now." She spun underneath Lhoren's arm, her caitlike legs granting litheness to her steps. Her sigh of relief turned into a breathless laugh. She'd done it without goofing up this time.

"I knew you'd come around to it once you got comfortable," Lhoren chimed, as she then lead the dance again, spinning them both around clockwise then anticlockwise whilst also moving back and forth together. It was a move nobody else around them was doing because they were likely trained to dance in the air, whereas Lhoren was trying to translate a two-step without any ground and therefore without steps.

"If you get any more ideas for moves you want to try, just think them," She spoke up, following with a slightly giggle. "Dancing's fun, isn't it?"

Geonet: Battle for the Megacity

@Havoccultist

It would be fun to have both of our characters being the antagonists for the other players.

@Eviledd1984

Cosima may or may not join them later on.

Shadow Contract: A Demon-Slaying Action RP

@Rune_Alchemist @RolePlayerRoxas

With a light chuckle, Kaida nodded, strolling alongside Kaeru as they followed the raiju who disappeared into the office. No sooner had she reached the door than she heard the commotion break out. Electrical crackling, the rustling of papers, pens clattering to the floor. Kaida hurried into the room, a rare sight meeting her eyes. Emi, despite her scattered stationery courtesy of Nyoko, was smiling. Actually smiling. Not only this, but she extended her hand as if about to pet the cat scampering all over her desk.

The moment Emi's gaze flicked towards Kaida and Kaeru, she snapped back to her usual businesslike self, but wasn't fooling anyone. Which she likely knew, judging by the blush colouring her stern features. Kaida looked at Kaeru, then back at Emi and Nyoko, a grin slowly spreading across her face as she approached. "We did it! We knew there had to be a way to make you smile! That's the second mission of the day accomplished!" She raised one hand to Kaeru for a high five, and the other to Nyoko, waiting for the cat to tap her paw against her palm. She'd probably get a mild shock - as well as an earful from Emi - but as a DDF combatant, she'd dealt with worse.

Harold's Academy for the Magically Inclined

Sylvia Copeland

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Day 1 ◈ Time: Night ◈ Weather: Moderate Rain ◈Location: Harold's Academy, Main Ballroom ◈ Participants: Sylvia Copeland, Tessa Vellhart@Mirandae, Lhoren Ashdale @Silver Carrot

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Sylvia's taut muscles relaxed. Nobody was hurt, which she'd gleaned from Tessa's general cheer, but it still reassured her to hear it confirmed. Plus, as much of a social faux pas as it was to tell a fashion icon she smelled of smoke, Tessa showed no offense. "I can imagine," Sylvia replied to the comment about the shoes, eyeing the eight-inch heels that complemented Tessa's long, toned legs. "Perfect shoes for the air though. Speaking of..."

Her eyes flicked around the room, sweeping over Kasp and a flustered Raff who'd partnered with each other, settling on Lhoren. "Care to dance?" She and the fellow Ivar student were more acquaintances than friends, but Lhoren was plenty approachable, not to mention cute. Truth be told, Sylvia had been a little uncomfortable at first at the prospect of having her thoughts read, as many people were. Lhoren, though, wasn't the type to share people's secrets, nor did she invade their privacy on purpose, any more than Sylvia could help randomly sprouting cait features on occasion. She doubted Lhoren would approve of much of what went on in her head, but it was a testament to the younger girl's friendliness that she stuck around anyway.

As soon as the words were out, though, Sylvia knew her confident facade wouldn't hold. Not around Lhoren, anyway. Sure she had decent reflexes, courtesy of her gift, but that mostly applied to athletics. She knew next to nothing about dancing. What if she messed up, and got both of them laughed at? Trying to dispel the thoughts that spiralled through her head, she focused her vitesse into her legs. They tingled and morphed, joints growing more supple, wildcait-brown fur marked with black stripes sprouting down them. The tips of retractable claws protruded from her toes, visible through her open shoes. This, she hoped, would help her dance better.

At the same time, the tip of her nose prickled, and the enhanced scents of food and perfumes all around faded. "Huh." She touched her nose, which she'd involuntarily turned back to normal. "I-I meant to do that! It wouldn't be great to use too much vitesse at once, after all!" She gave a nervous glance around, knowing she wasn't fooling anyone, least of all Lhoren.

Her eyes, however, remained caitlike, able to see through the shadows. And in the night sky that stretched above the ballroom, she glimpsed movement. Raising her head, she frowned at a distant figure rising into the air. "Hm, is that Grumble? Wonder where she's going?" Sneaking out was something Sylvia could relate to, but someone as honest to a fault as Grumble didn't strike her as the kind of person to do that.

Heroes of Virtue ~ The Interest Check

Fairy tale inspiration? Sounds good, I'm in!

Character Interview Questions

What do you want most in the world?

@Crimson Flame

Zircon Mistmoon, The Fairies' Adventure

Before, I thought it was to live a peaceful life alone. But now it's to find a way to break a curse. Fairies are turning to stone, including a loved one, Cori... *Her voice cracks* She may be a pain at times, but... I'll admit she means so much more to me than I ever let on.

Have you ever felt you didn't fit in somewhere?

Shadow Contract: A Demon-Slaying Action RP

@Rune_Alchemist

Kaida returned the grin. "Can't blame ya. The food here's pretty good." Her smile widened as Nyoko reappeared with a soft little meow and drifted off to sleep in Kaeru's arms. The cat knew just how adorable she was. With a pang, Kaida recalled the time she'd brought home a stray kitten as a teenager, only for her parents to tell her pets were unhygienic and would distract her from her duties, namely studies and spiritual practices. The kitten had ended up living with her grandparents instead. At least here, as stuffy as some people could be, they were still warm enough to feel more like a family than her blood relatives ever had.

"Anyway, yep, and you're Kaeru?" Kaida asked. "As for missions, it really depends how much demonic activity there is, it can get pretty quiet sometimes. But yep, there's a training hall. I'd spar, but we'd have to stay untransformed... Water versus electricity would be quite the recipe for disaster." With a light chuckle, she watched Emi head into the office, waiting until the humourless co-worker was out of earshot before gesturing to the door and continuing. "Or you could train with Emi. To be honest, she needs to lighten up, and I doubt even she'd be able to keep a straight face around Nyoko."

Character Interview Questions

"How do you know when you can trust someone?

@Birdboy

Renata Delarosa, Pokemon: The Next Hunt

Eh, can't say I trust people easily. But I guess it helps if they're a little awkward and don't put up airs and graces, it makes them come across as more real and honest. Also if my Greavard likes them, because dogs are good judges of character.

Is there something that's completely normal to you, but weirds most people out? For me it's ghosts and graveyards.

Harold's Academy for the Magically Inclined

Sylvia Copeland

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Day 1 ◈ Time: Evening/Night ◈ Weather: Light/Moderate Rain ◈Location: Harold's Academy, Main Ballroom ◈ Participants: Sylvia Copeland, Kaspaan Mustaven @Deja, Raffaella Struna @Emeth, Tessa Vellhart@Mirandae

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Sylvia blinked as a girl materialised in front of the group. A girl she recognised as Raffaella, the fellow Ivar who kept disappearing from people's views and minds alike. They hadn't spoken much, but it was still jarring, the way Raff's sudden appearance jogged Sylvia's memory every time. "Hey!" She beamed, attempting to comfort the timid girl. "Got to the food early, I see. Good on ya!"

As more and more people gathered - Tae, Fasha, Walter, Lhoren, Ana, Leah - Raffaella became noticeably all the more uncomfortable, eyes shifting around before she hurried away. "Hey wait, it's ok!" Sylvia called. She considered following, but for all the air of confidence she put up, she could relate to that awkwardness all too well, given her sheltered background. Large groups were still something she had yet to grow accustomed to, with that banter that seemed to come so easily to them. "Well, I guess that's our cue to tuck in," she said as she headed to the nearest table, where she spotted Kasp already helping himself to the various snacks. Mouth watering from the scents, she picked up a crab roll and took a bite, savouring the delicate meat. An enhanced sense of smell made food taste so much better.

Raff had headed over there anyway, getting along well with Kasp by the looks of it as he plotted and schemed. Sylvia leaned in, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Oooh, can I help out? We'll shoulder the blame, while you either vanish or act innocent enough to get away with anything."

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Well, this wasn't so bad, with all the chatting and snacking to pass the time until the main event. Which began with Wolfgang bigging himself up, making Sylvia roll her eyes, before he announced some puzzling news. For some reason, Headmistress Minerva wouldn't be here tonight. "So she gets to go off on adventures while we're all stuck here," she jokingly whispered to Kasp and Raff. It was probably some kind of boring academy business, but it couldn't hurt to speculate. "At least it means nobody's ending up as a toad tonight."

Digging into a chicken leg, she stared up as the special guest floated from the night sky into the ballroom. Lady Penelope Upperton herself, clad in glimmering gold. A thrill sparked through Sylvia - opera music wasn't her first choice, but seeing someone so talented in the flesh after having spent so long shielded from the world felt like a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. As the band launched into the first song, Sylvia gobbled down the rest of the chicken leg and floated into the air. "Anyone up for a dance?"

It was then that Tessa swept over, smiling and clad in her best designer clothing as usual, yet something was off. Sylvia sniffed the air, her feline nose twitching. Was that a faint whiff of smoke clinging to Tessa's clothes? Before Sylvia could ask, Tessa gave a breathless explanation, recounting what had to be the mother of all nightmare travels.

Sylvia's eyes widened. "Holy shit. Was everyone ok? I knew I could smell smoke... Uh, not that it's likely noticeable to anyone else!" Cringing at her unfiltered words, she rubbed the back of her neck. "That's quite the eventful journey."