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Miina Malina


"Umm... m-my magic's not... big..." Miina mumbled, really not aware enough of the intricacies of this sort of planning to offer an opinion on what would be best. Attacking an execution specifically seemed really difficult, but it wasn't like she had much expertise in night-time planning anyway. At least she could climb onto rooftops with some skill if they went for the second option? Harder than trees, but she liked climbing.

Her magic definitely wasn't anything big big, though. Or flashy. Particularly not next to everything Eve was proposing, all she had was parlour tricks. But...

"I'm... o-okay with ice, though? N-No fire." At least she could use magic without much of a fear of, well... burning a city down. And ice could be slippery, if that was useful.
With their individual strength now being focused more effectively, it was clear that this downsized portion of the retinue was increasingly on the back foot--although, admirably, they were still stubborn about not allowing being physically and magically knocked to the ground to disrupt their co-ordination, still covering enough that they could just about start rising again.

But, if things continued this way, it was inevitable that they would lose. And this lead to some sort of discrete signal being passed amongst the group.

The next time one of them was going to fail to block a blow, nobody stepped in to protect. Oh, no; instead the wounded, likely dying, soldier clung on to the weapon impaling them, using their own life as a trade to let one of their companions attack instead. Why focus on avoiding the rain of spellfire if you could lure someone else into its path?

After all, as the Iron Roses had surmised: they had greater individual strength, and could win just by slowly picking off the Talderians. But that went the other way; the retinue would still be victorious even if they suffered more losses, as long as there was someone left standing at the end.

Probably two someones, if they were considering both the maid mages to be a threat.
Dort Road


Right, roll up her sleeves--no sense in getting those stained in blood, though it was unfortunate that she'd probably be unable to avoid getting any mess on her dress--and get to work. Hm, so far as injuries went, this one was at least fairly straightforward to treat... without surgical expertise, there may have been considerations around stitches and range of motion that Hikari was obviously unaware of.

That made it simpler--it obviously differed in some significant practical respects to an actual first aid course, and the resources available were simpler, yet she was still able to simply ask the others to retrieve what she needed. Or the closest thing; one could hardly ask for some sort of antiseptic in a medieval setting, the strongest alcohol they had would have to do (hopefully not something intending to be drunk, at that), and aside from that it was simply a matter of staunching and pressure. Oh, but you couldn't avoid thinking about it, anything too frayed was simply asking for infection and things to get stuck, that was the entire point of washing it first.

As for the patient's reaction... it was hardly that different to tuning out someone complaining about an unfavourable review or the like. It wasn't important to pay attention to, as long as the rest made sure that Linie couldn't push her out of the way because it hurt.
Sakura


Now that things were less dangerous--and that meant much less running around trying to avoid being accidentally shot, although towards the end she'd just been keeping an eye out to see if anybody needed to be pulled out of the way of a lethal blow--there was time to think.

Not that she needed to do all that much thinking, this was a ghost story. But they'd really got the perspectives backwards, and if it weren't for being so ridiculously overboard for a traipse through an abandoned mansion, they'd have been just another list of victims. Maybe with some fancier deaths.

Plus, Tera's decision to become a giant monster centipede of all things helped a bit more on the ideas front.

"So... does anyone think I should go get a priest?" the girl wondered, playing with a strand of hair. "We wouldn't need one for exorcism, but I'm sure there's always room for another local god."
Miina Malina


As Izayoi told her story, Miina's expression gradually grew more and more crestfallen. That... oh, how could people have stories like that? This didn't even seem like all of it, there was this whole last stand business too and whatever had lead the older Mystrel into being a warrior in the first place, and then the Valheimr had specifically gone looking for her in particular? Why? What was there to gain in seeking out some former warrior just to ruin a peaceful life?

But the invaders seemed to do a lot of these things that didn't make sense but would make people very unhappy, seemingly just because they could. Or because they really disliked them--that was probably why Reisa had been waiting around in that village, right? Miina was getting the impression that more than just being greedy invaders, they were not very nice in general.

And here they were going to do another thing just to be cruel, and assassinate this lord. So that meant they would be staging a rescue--

Um. Was that a good idea? The redhead stared blankly into space. It seemed like the boobie lady had a lot of ideas, and Galahad knew something about what they were doing, but wasn't this going to just get them all executed because there were too many soldiers? Was... this something that they all had to do? Well, Izayoi was definitely going to do it, and she was one of the few who seemed to know the entire plan for this little group, but all Miina had really done was offer some support...

But oh no if Reisa was here then that meant her association would be known! At least, probably. Her outfit stuck out, and unless she wanted to get rid of it--she should definitely help take part. She didn't want to give this up while she was searching the country, and if they were already looking for her... then her best bet was to work with the others for this rescue.

Uh.

Somehow.

... had she ever actually given a good explanation of her skills?
Fujiwara no Mokou


After being used as a healing source--with some level of irritation, not that feeding the vampire really did much as long as she got to take the shirt off first to avoid staining it too much--Mokou had gone back to doing what she did best: aimlessly patrolling a forested area and avoiding all human contact. As a bonus, this forest wasn't one that needed a guide just for people to not hopelessly wander in circles, so she didn't even have to look out for townspeople.

On the flip side, this also meant dealing with a lot more aggressive animals. And oversized insects. Nothing quite as big as those ridiculous centipedes--although there was no way she'd let one of those get the better of her again--but it was definitely an unusual experience. It even took her back a bit, although she'd usually been the one starting fights in that case...

Like Sanae, she'd caught wind of the traders before they'd arrived--and after going back to the town to see what was up with that, had found out that the bits of dead body she'd been forgetting about her actually worth something? It wasn't like she was a professional hunter, so knowing that was a bit surprising. Instead, Mokou spent the day going back and gathering what she could. Not that there was much, between her methods being quite destructive, other animals, and not having kept track or travelled with much of a pattern in mind...

She'd been about to go back to the forest--she didn't have an interest in the negotiations, and whatever plan the others had about going to the capital would be easy enough to catch up with once they were actually travelling--but these guards...

"They think they're strong, then? Willin' to prove it?" Well, they probably weren't, but if they were, this could be exciting. And what better way to find out how strong the people of this world were really like, after all? Who knows, maybe someone around here might have some unusual way to kill her.

Of course, from the merchant's perspective "skinny girl with burnt sleeves" probably didn't seem all that intimidating. Even if she was oddly excited about this.

Dort Road - Hikari


When the blonde girl stepped out of the carriage, Hikari ran through a mental checklist. What would be appropriate behaviour...? From her age, she would normally have been, at most, a senior executive's daughter or something similar: someone to treat well because of association, yet not warranting any respect on her own. However, this was a fantasy world, was it not? Even if the girl was clearly still reliant on her family connections rather than possessing power in her own right, her social status and relative position was vastly more important than theirs.

Furthermore, despite the haughty demeanour, she was displaying a level of care for her subordinates that showed that she might not be a bad potential employer. Perhaps it was too hasty to consider joining the first prospect she had met in this world? If this girl was even willing to consider it, of course; to be so apparently a maid in well-maintained clothing and yet not have a job mustn't make a good impression of her character or abilities.

When the others were bowing, she was forced to make a rapid decision--she knew bowing, and it could still be seen as appropriate if she was in Japan, but... was this not obviously a more western world? And, naturally, she was in a maid dress... which might also have other considerations when bowing, given the number of tails. A curtsy it was, as formally as she could make it--which might not have been much. Bowing was far more her area of expertise. Or handshakes.

"It is as he said, we are simply travellers, although glad to be of assistance. If your attendant requires aid, I could look? Although it may not look it, I have some experience." Albeit, it wasn't like modern first aid training covered stitches if those might be required, especially not when you had taken lessons merely to ensure sufficient staff coverage...
Samurai


Zhao pressing the attack on the warrior-woman seemed almost unnecessary by the time he could land a strike--if only because the entity had found a way to eliminate itself just as effectively: jerking to intercept Yuma's bullet. With her face.

At this defeat, the ghost froze up, staring at the black gloop--and flicking over to where Tera had been just seconds before, the portal conveniently transporting her outside the property having already gone--with what may have been a puzzled expression, under the armour.

Before eating the wave of fire in its entirety.

As the fire died out--

He was still there, scarcely seeming any the worse for wear, as if the damage had passed right through him to instead simply burn through the building on the other side. Yet, at least he wasn't fighting.
FEF698

The hour had grown late and it was time for members of the party to go to their rooms and rest for the remaining journey to Kugane. Chisaki had done her best to mingle amidst the members of Team Kirin, although the one known as Esben proved to be a thorn in her side at every chance. This was especially true every time that she tried to approach the small, red-haired Mystrel that had been giving her a distinct look ever since she first introduced herself. The Garden spy would have to sleep eventually, and that is when she would find her chance.

Chisa waited patiently inside of Miina’s room, listening carefully as her prey drew closer and closer. A sly smile grew on her lips as the door opened and Miina stepped inside. The moment she was clear of the door Chisa pushed it gently close, giving away her position with the soft ‘click’ of the door closing.

“Would you look at that, it seems we’re sharing the room tonight.” She took a few steps into the room. The metal chestplate and bracers of her armor had been set aside, leaving only the form-fitting leather armor underneath. A predatory look flashed in her eyes as she circled Miina on her way to one of the beds.

”Here I was thinking we would never have a chance to talk…” Her voice tenderly trailed off, hand brushing against the soft fabric on the bed.

“U-Um… h-h-hello?” Miina managed, freezing up with her hands halfway through unfastening the outermost layer of coat. She had known about sharing rooms, yes, but had thought that they would put her with Eve or maybe Izayoi, not this shinobi. And with nobody else in the room she had been hoping to undress and get into bed before they came in and avoid this small talk.

Now she was just fidgeting with the toggle, tail held low. Was Chisa going to pump her for information? She’d seen all the questioning and confusing back and forth with the others and had no idea what to say! Oh no, did she think Miina’s silence meant she knew a lot? Then the older woman might torture and kill her until she spilled her nonexistent secrets!

Escape, escape… maybe if she ran straight ahead she could blow a hole in the wall and escape through that? There might be a chance, Chisa didn’t look armed, though there might be something hidden in her cleavage… surely she could see a handle or something by looking, right?

A sinister smile creased her lips as she began to walk over towards Miina, hips swaying with each step. One would have to be blind not to see what the red Mystrel’s eyes drew to “I’m not going to harm you…but you can check me for weapons if you want.” Her voice drew into a whisper as she leaned her chest down for Miina just a foot away. Chisa giggled and playfully tapped her on the nose before righting herself. ”I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing you speak yet, so why don’t we start with your name or are those pretty eyes of yours going to start undressing me?”

Chisa didn’t actually expect Miina to be a treasure trove of information and she was interested in such. Her only concern was getting a reading on the members of Team Kirin, seeing if there was ill-intent harbored in any of them. Besides, she wanted to have a little fun before heading back into the capital.

There was a gulp and squeak; now the girl was completely red from head to toe.

“M-M-Miina M-M-M-M…” aaaaah, this was terrible! Normally her name was fine, she couldn’t let that pretty lady get to her that much, no matter how provocatively her bosom was presented! It was an effort, but that small girl pulled her eyes upwards. Still not really making eye contact, but close enough, right? “M-Miina Malina.”

Miina would not be the first to fall to her charms but Chisa decided to stop before the poor girl was a drooling, broken mess. She took a few steps backwards, this time with less motion, and lowered herself gently onto the opposing bed. Miina might have fainted straight away if she had fallen back onto it ”What a lovely name. Tell you what. I know you’re probably scared half to death right now thinking about what I might do to you….” Her voice trailed off at her intentional pause before she continued.

Chisa leaned back using her arms to keep herself upright ”...but let’s make it fair. You can ask me a question, anything you want, and I’ll answer truthfully. Then, I’ll ask you something. Not too bad, right?” This line of work made it difficult to make and keep friends. She loved what she did and was really good at it…but seeing the fear in Miina’s eyes. It did sting a little.

Yes, she was scared half to death. Probably unreasonably so? It didn’t seem like Chisa really had anything out for her, she was being very nice and had backed off and… well, there weren’t knives hidden there, that was for sure. Miina obediently sat on the opposite bed, fingers still playing with the top layer of her outfit and eventually removing it–not that this revealed that much, it was multi-layered.

“R-Right…” Miina replied, looking down at her lap. What did she want to ask…? Something about being a shinobi? No, no, that would just make killing her attractive, she didn’t want that at all, and she didn’t even know what to ask that would reveal useful information. So that was… well, she hadn’t met many Viera, right? They were very tall, but…

“U-Um, are all V-Viera so… um… b-big?”

Chisa idly kicked her feet off the side of the bed as she waited, preparing whatever question she might have. Her eyes traced the outline of Miina’s body as she shed her outer coat. Perhaps what stood out most was her chest…or lack thereof. They do say we are envious of what we don’t have and Chisa considered all the problems a smaller bust would solve for her.
She looked down at her own chest and then shook her head ”Mine were a gift from my mother. I’ve only met a few with similar proportions. You should see my mistress! ” A brief laugh escaped her lips. It wasn’t hard to understand Father’s type. Chisa cleared her throat ”Viera on average do seem to have larger in size whereas Mystrels keep a firmer shape. Sollans have the widest range of busts and Faye are usually one extreme or the other.” She spoke matter of fact, hoping to ease the tension by speaking about Miina’s interests.

[color=FEF69]”Now then, it's my turn.”[/color] A silver of innocent excitement slipped under her guise. This was really beginning to feel like genuine, casual talk between two friends! ”Did you have any trouble with the blight on your way here?” Chisa asked, wary of Miina mistaking a question for espionage when she had no intention of squeezing every bit of intel out of her.

Oh, so it was just this one? Well… that was good, right? It didn’t mean every conversation with every Viera in the country–so far as Miina was going to be starting conversations, obviously–would be going the exact same way. It was a shame, though, there really was just something… nicer about them this way.

The blight, on the way here? Thinking about it… not really; at least, not her in particular, and the small girl shook her head. Which reminded her… still had the hat on, so fiddling with that to take it off gave her something else to do other than stare. “N-Not much, the f-forest is b-b-bad but not… d-dangerous.”

Or, at least, it wasn’t too dangerous for one relatively agile traveler with magic on her side. Maybe others would have struggled more, or those unfamiliar with the terrain–it wasn’t like Miina had stuck to a formal route until she left the country at all, so if the Blight had started to interfere with what would constitute major paths, then it could probably have been a lot trickier.

Chisa listened intently, the tension releasing in her shoulders as she began to relax. It was…strange to say the least. Her response did give her conflicted feelings. Horrible as Valheim were, at least Osprey had yet to be ravaged by the Blight ”You must be pretty skilled then. I’ve heard a few travelers with stories that would keep you awake for days.” Her tone growing ominous towards the end.

While a compliment to her curves, Chisa had yet to fully exchange her armor for some more comfortable attire. The part about her rooming with Miina was only partly a lie. She had arranged it so the bed next to hers would be empty, but did not plan on sleeping in the same room. However, there was something that was alluringly comforting about Miina. The Vierea had initially thought that the Mystrel was enthralled with her, but having this conversation made it clear that her new friend was simply fascinated by breasts. A severe case it would seem.

”I would love to pick your brain more but it is growing late. Will you let me room with you? I could really use some help with a few of the clasps on my back here.” Chisa was only half-joking as she twisted until Miina could get a good look where some metal clips held the harder leather pieces on ”I promise I won’t bite.”

The girl tried to say something, but ended up stumbling over her words so much that she eventually resorted to nodding. Right, yes, she could share a room with the Viera, and help with these clasps, just… take it slow. And don’t stare too much.
Eastwards Road


At the falling cloud of smoke, the retinue fell back and away--thinner in the centre, now, if someone were to make a direct charge for it... but that would also mean that the Iron Roses themselves would be hampered by its caustic nature, possibly too much to effectively fight through where the line was weakest. It was at least doing more than the fireballs, where they were happy to thrust their shields in counterpoint, the attacks breaking and streaming around the individual knights to no effect.

In the melee, there was was a curious revelation: for all they were figures of story and legend, it was the Iron Roses that had the advantage here. After all the training, they were stronger, more skilled--and yet, still outnumbered, and the reason why this retinue was so famous became clearer. Even for all they could be overwhelmed, capitalising on it to actually injure one of them was proving to be difficult--

For all that many of their number had stood aside, they hadn't sent so many to the wings that their teamwork was compromised. It was less akin to fighting a larger team, and closer to a single enemy with many limbs. Where normally it would be impractical to step in so closely, these knights were able to intervene to deflect the blows aimed at their compatriots, even allowing them to regain their footing and have the original aggrieved part strike back. Being hemmed in so closely didn't seem like it was hampering them to any normal extent, which meant trying to break them in detail like this was only playing to their strengths: the Talderians could use their superior numbers to fend off damage, and then rely on the limited space to further restrict the Roses' options.

Although, seeing them strain against the heavy blows despite this ought to be gratifying.
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