The 42nd Gecko

Grimoiric Heart

LILAC SHIMMER

Lilac snapped her fingers nervously, with one last glance at Burning Heart before refocusing on the Pageless. It would have been so cute, right out of a Magical Girl show... Maybe third date! She bounded between the walls before summoning Joyeuse for her attack.

Camelot's light truly would have blinded Lilac's eyes, had Lilac considered Camelot a foe in turn. But it was natural as breathing to her that Camelot was an unshakeable ally, and Lilac's eyes were focused on the Pageless, not Camelot. Not a single thought or glance was spared for the impossibility that Camelot would attack her. Why be on guard against something that could never happen? Such was Lilac's faith in Camelot.

With an absolute lack of defense, Camelot's attacks landed exactly as they were intended, turning aside Lilac's blade and knocking her back. Lilac slammed into the awning of a small shop, and lay there dazed for a moment. Someone was speaking but it was too low to hear over her ringing ears... Wait, that attack had come from below, where Camelot was!

"Camelot, you ok?" She yelled, her first thought as she struggled to rouse herself and get up. Ugh, she couldn't see anything... Wait, but that was Camelot's voice! Oh, and she was doing her turn bright thing extra double hard today, maybe the Pageless hadn't been running away, but were grouping up to deal with her.

“... perhaps it’s about time you sat down and finally listened.” Er.... Wait, was Camelot talking... to her? Lilac paused.

"Um... Ok? You got this one I guess?" Lilac tried to see what was happening, but was forced to shield her eyes. Huh, sounded like Camelot wanted her to stand down. Well, if whatever attack had just hit her was still that strong after passing through Camelot, maybe it was too dangerous and Camelot couldn't protect both her and Tsubasa at the same time. Her shoulders slunk a little in disappointment. Still, usually people shouted something like "get back" rather than disapprovingly telling you to sit down. Well, guess everyone had their quirks?

Wait, Burning Heart had been right behind her, did she get hit too? "Burning Heart, you alright?" Lilac couldn't see her through the light, her grip tightening on her sword. She felt uselessless that she couldn't be helping right now, Burning Heart had to be ok!

But, now, finally, as Camelot spoke with fury to Dynasty Queen, Lilac started to get a picture of what was happening. "What? That can't be right.." Camelot and Dynasty Queen were fighting?

Grimoiric Heart

I look forward to Camelot and Lilac's talk.

Camelot: Your inability to recognize what was going is a problem. You have rose tinted goggles!

Lilac: I was facing towards the sky as I ran up a building. None of my powers grant me metagaming all-around vision. By the time I looked back you guys were just talking with each other while standing off so I thought you were just coordinating cause I didn't have time to listen to what you said.

Camelot: Well, pay more attention. I did tell everyone not to rush right in!

Lilac: Um, I think I had already rushed in before you said that.

Camelot: ... This team is a nightmare.

Grimoiric Heart

Hmm, Lilac hadn't summoned her sword yet at that time, but aright.

Grimoiric Heart

"And then there was Moonlight Tsubasa and her three emissaries. The Pageless remained dormant as they were and because of it suffered at the hands of Lilac Shimmer's attack. They burst outwards in a plume of smoke and shadow, slain by her blade. For any remaining alive in the area, they scrambled away and dissipated back to the shadows where they came as soon as Ozma appeared."

I believe Lilac's attack was intercepted and Lilac pushed back by Camelot, so this wouldn't happen.

Grimoiric Heart

Hence the massive battle.

Grimoiric Heart

Next post:
Dynasty Queen actives her evil detecting eyes, Tsubasa pings as evil, massive battle ensues... :P

Grimoiric Heart

And certainly breaking up the team won't have any interesting effects on the person whose primary trauma is their team breaking up and has trouble with relational issues. Boy this next post is gonna be fun to write.

Grimoiric Heart

Lilac's thing is that she transformed early enough and jumped into battle so quickly, that the only thing she heard and arguably should have responded to is the 'why'd you hit Tesni', and everything else she was too occupied wrestling Pageless to hear. Oh those poor communication kills. :P

Grimoiric Heart

I'm just joshing you, I know you're the one putting in the work to keep the scene moving forward.

Grimoiric Heart

Camelot literally doesn't have the time to talk through both Bonnie and Tesni's bullshit simultaneously:

What Lilac says in a post:
"Alright, let's do this!" "Heavenly!" "Lilac!""Drill!" "I would like to- ORAH- rescind my line about sitting this one out, help!"

What Camelot says in a post:
"You're not an idiot, Tesni," "In fact, you're rather talented, brimming with potential, both realized and otherwise." "I think you might be reading a bit too far into a mere story, but then again, it's your Grimoire, not mine. You'd likely know it best. Your approach to life is respectable regardless; yet, you are objectively incorrect in regards to change." "While it would seem that change can be forced on someone, ultimately, this is an illusion. At the end of the day, change is perhaps also known as a form of 'natural selection'. Only those that choose to change move forward and prosper; while those that stubbornly cling to obsolete and self-destructive mindsets inevitably perish or languish in stagnation in some manner or another. Thus, change is always a choice. After all, Sun Wukong didn't have to change when he was imprisoned by Buddha. He could have stayed stubborn, stayed true to his pride and perhaps broken free at some point... but most likely withered away. Instead, he chose to grasp the opportunity for self-reflection and became better than he once was, enough so that he was given a chance once more. One could posit that what he had was merely the illusion of choice, but that is not so, just as it is never truly so in real life." "Bonnie!" "All Tesni used were words. Can you honestly tell me it is in any way appropriate to escalate to actual physical force in this situation, in front of both a 'guest' and our new junior? Really?" "And you," "First off, the last thing you should be doing is comparing eugenics of all things to the here and now; I refuse to even humor that line of discussion. Secondly, I'll admit agelessness is a daunting concept, and however unwise it may be, I've chosen to simply live in the here and now, helping who I can and not worrying about who I can't. Being obsessed with the future and the long game can be just as destructive as anything else. Thirdly, I already aspire to more than some bland forever life in an academy. Why in the world would anyone want to subject themselves to an eternity of stagnation is beyond me. Such aspirations aren't quite yet practical to the here and now, but I most certainly have them and hold them dear. That said..." "What exactly were you hoping to accomplish by doing this? Actually, no." "The reality is that I don't care. Objectively, what you have done is disrupt what was supposed to be a brand new Magical Girl's wonderful first day and introduction to the job. All you have done is interrupt my work as her guide and exacerbate the issues with team cohesion that I was in the process of handling," "Your timing and approach would have to struggle to be worse, but I can admit to being fool enough to take the bait out of... clearly misguided politeness. As things are, however, I have a job to do, one you are impeding, so... you need to leave, Lady Tsubasa. Now." "Transformations! Quickly," "Another Apex type? So soon?" "Wait, don't attack yet! This is unusual, and these Pageless might have some sort of gimmick." "DYNASTY QUEEN, what the hell?!"

:P