The Irish Tree

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

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@Restalaan (SKR/GRI)
Too much happened, all at once, all the time, too much too fast too complicated! The little fairy was lost in the soup of the plot as Kerry yelled at them, Alice hit Kerry, Shizuka killed a guy, ran off after Alice, Gringor beat a guy up then smashed an obelisk to pieces, and Liliana was just left there with her mouth agape. ...It...seemed that the fighting was winding down but...when did all these Varjans get here?

Liliana would put every one of god's own single digits in her brain cell count to work out what was happening, before giving up after approximately six seconds and flying off to help the injured. It was the least, and most she could do as the fight reached its conclusion. Several healings and a couple of cows licking a few refugees' faces later, Liliana would hear the suggested focuses for the task force, and would excitedly exclaim: "I can turn invisible! I can help with Komatsu!" It was business as usual for the fairy but...something was bugging her...

Where was Alice? And why did Liliana have a really bad feeling?

The fairy would also hear Skarsneek explain about the Obelisks, before immediately realizing that meant her invisibility would also be canceled out by them. The idea of flinging the giant anti-magic rocks back at them though was incredibly appealing. "That sounds like a great idea! I think! I wasn't here, so I don't know if they even use magic. But if they do? Great idea," Liliana said, making finger-guns at Skarsneek to emphasize it was, indeed, a cool, great idea.

The fairy was really struggling to find a way to make herself useful to the discussion at hand, but thought the idea was sound. She'd just have to be wary of these rocks in the future, since Whimsy was already weakening just from proximity to one.

Eula

---

@Rezod92

Running System Diagnostics...

Parsing Damage to Internal Systems...

Distributing Energy to Vital Areas of Operation...

Spooling Memory Bank...

Personality File: EU+LA 039 Loaded...

Eula's eyes would flash open as she heard someone speak to her, gaze focusing, taking in his words, before she would slowly open her mouth. Then, she closed it. She might have had words of protest, but he was right. She couldn't just recklessly charge in, heedless of the damage done to her. It hurt to have her arm nearly torn apart, and it hurt to continue pushing it. Her severed arm had been re-attached and felt good as new, her coolant returned to normal stability...but she was detecting some issues with her left optic. Her senses were slowly returning as power surged back into her circuits, body in a state of limited movement and repair that was being aided by the tubes and wires connected to her body. "...Thank you," the automaton managed, before a familiar figure entered the workshop.

It was Kerry, who was rightly suspicious of the figure wearing armor similar to the Varjans. Eula had her suspicions as well, but...even with her limited power, it would be trivial to reach out and knock Revuel out, she thought. And he would know that, she thought. As such, he posed no danger...she thought. She couldn't know for sure, but he felt like a friend. Eula wouldn't move from her rooted position, but would look at Kerry with the same eyes as always. "Hello, Kerry. I believe he can be trusted," The automaton said, trying to calm the hornet down.

Eula couldn't be sure that this was where their business would be finished, or what that would entail. In her mind, there was no need to fight Kerry any longer, as humans weren't in any danger because of her. The job had been completed and payment had been earned...even if it still hurt Eula to think of how scared the villagers must have been back then. But, Kerry had no doubt fought to save the temple. "What brings you here," Eula said, before looking a bit relieved. "Did Kikyo deliver my message to you?"

Tales Of Shizuyama: Alternative (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Vivian

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@Enkryption(UMI/RCD), @PaulHaynek

"It seems the mutt didn't enjoy the dance," Vivian thought to herself as Umami glowered at her, the Glacies not seeming to be surprised. A diva was used to scorn, after all. Roses had thorns, and this one was simply baring her own. She'd have to be careful around her though...not for her own safety mind, but because licking a creature made of solid ice was a good way to lose your tongue. The mutt's sister barked something about courtesies not extending to her, but it wasn't as if the dancer was here to socialize. Still, best to get off on the right foot.

"No harm done, Lady Kyokou. I was simply worried the poor thing would lose her tongue," Vivian said, confident that her apology absolutely wouldn't be taken the wrong way, as a threat perhaps. "And, I'm used to the scorn of others. Whether it be Man or Monster, I don't mind a few boos as long as I get my show to its climax." In a similar way to how Kyouko may imagine the twins to be a handful, Vivian's pride was showing through here.

With her oath informally sworn, Vivian would take a place next to a nearby wall. "I should also mention, Lady Kyouko, we Glacies feed off of heat. Particularly, that of living things. Would you object to me "feeding" off of Varjans or bandits while I serve under you? I could just drain fire, but that's nowhere near as filling." Vivian would steal a glance towards Umami once more, as if expecting her to understand that "stealing heat" and "tongue touching" meant "you will freeze if you lick me".

Magus Reaver: Scions of Sorcery

Hector Wyland

@Polaris North, @PaulHaynek, @AzureKnight

---

Cheap shots were the specialty of the day, as the now-dismembered brigand cast a smoke screen just to deck Hector in the face. Falling to the ground, the marksman would have just enough time to roll to the side, though now farther away from his gun. "I don't have time to grab it...so..." Hector would think, then act.

It was the dirtiest tactic Hector could imagine, but right now, it didn't need to be flashy or impressive. It needed to work. The oldest, most obvious weakspot on the human body: The groin. Hector would dodge the next strike from his assailant, before reeling back his left foot. His leg would sweep up in a perfect arc, before slamming into his opponent's groin...and, to add insult to injury, Hector would call out: "[Smite!]"

Every man in the area would hear and FEEL the impact of that blow, with Hector silently glad that Imre wasn't seeing him fight so uncouthly. Before his opponent could catch a break to process his shattered testicles, Hector would deliver a double-fisted haymaker to the back of his head, stomping his head for good measure. "Herne!" With a mere word, the snake inhabiting his gun would cause it to drag along the ground at a decent speed, spurred on by his command to "leap" into his hand, just in time for the twinblade-wielder to assault Hector. Luckily, Ruecian handled the two others while Hector was confident he could settle his own business, just in time for that thought to be interrupted by Einer to come barreling in to assault his opponent.

Hector was actually stunned that the man had run in to steal a fight, and was dumbfounded as gunfire signaled a shot...and he saw crimson staining Einer's clothes. Broken free of his stupor, Hector would lunge with his bayonet to finish off the twinbladed assailant, then braces his gun against the fallen foe to shoot at the marksman that had taken fire at Einer. "Hang in there," Hector said, invoking a quick incantation to cast his [Healing Prayer] onto Einer. It wouldn't fix the injury right away, but the mind-numbing pain of a bullet wound would fade to a stinging one, the bleeding at least starting to stop as Einer's natural recovery was hastened. "Be still, and try to observe around you. You're lucky the bullet went clean through," Hector said, keeping a lookout for any free marauders that were threatening to approach, with Herne's head emerging from the top of Hector's gun to look around in the opposite direction.

Hector could only hope Shavis and Ruecian could handle their opponents, while Hector sought to guard Einer and the carriage.

Tales Of Shizuyama: Alternative (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Vivian

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@Enkryption(UMI/RCD), @PaulHaynek

"I am-" The glacies before the three started, before the most ill-mannered of them decided she was "mint ice cream". ...Mint? Was that something humans commonly ate? Were Glacies so uncommon that the hicks of the world didn't know them on sight? No matter, right now the icy dancer simply had to focus on avoiding her newfound admirer.

One step into another, Vivian would sidestep the eager canine girl, an arm gently wrapping around her waist and holding her stomach so she could stop her momentum. With a pivot, Vivian would twirl once, twice, then thrice with Umami forced along for the ride. Her touch was cool, but careful, sapping the most bare minimum of energy from Umami just on virtue of making contact before Vivian carefully spun her away from her, holding the girl's hand as she let her stand once more by her sister. "Careful, puppy. I'm colder than you might expect," she said, releasing Umami and turning to Lady Kyouko to finish her own introduction.

"I am Vivian of Lyonesse, a wanderer who has come to offer aid to this little island of your's," Vivian said, taking a slight bow to the one in charge here. "I've already aided your people nearby on the ocean. Those...Vir-gins or whatever they are called, I sliced their boat apart. That should demonstrate my aptitude. I'm a dancer by trade, but you'll find me useful." The dancer would rise from her bow, one hand resting over where the frozen monster's heart would be. "Please, allow me to stay and fight. I don't have anywhere else I can be of use."

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

@Enkryption, @AzureKnight

---

Alice was...back to normal? Looked different? Felt...strange...but, Liliana had no real frame of reference. Liliana was so confused, she almost didn't register the genuine apology from Alice. The little fairy would blush a smidge, not at all used to Alice apologizing to...

...Well...

Like, anyone, really.

Liliana would say: "I-I mean, it was sorta...crazy back there and all, and I imagine you got pretty stressed on that boat. But, what's important is we saved the girl, and all's well that ends well!"

Or at leas it was, until they returned to Fukami Port, with the super-shiny-rainbow-jingle-shell-crab knight saying he'd answer questions, to which Carroll exploded out in a new form and questioned him. The little fairy was lost in all this magic mumbo-jumbo, but would look to Alice, given that she was Carroll's wielder. "W-Why's Carroll all different and not slithery now?" Oh, and Mr. Shiny, I only have one question! What's your armor actually made out of? It makes me hungry for oysters."

---

Eula

---

...Of course. It made sense. Eula was aware that her body was breaking down, damage gone unrepaired and stressed long enough that she couldn't even break past Kikyo to rush past her if she wanted. Eula was running on fumes, and would need to rest for days...weeks, maybe, to regain partial functionality.

No injury hurt as bad as the words that Kikyo threw at Eula though. ...Indebted...is this all her efforts would be answered with? Humans really were intimately foolish. Blind to the problems around them, blind to those who aren't them, and blind to how much the world itself seemed to love them. ...But, that was their own form of love, in the end.

"You must love this land dearly, to tolerate yokai helping, Eula said, gently moving her hand with slow, gentle care to rest it upon Kikyo's before the automaton smiled softly. The retainer could tell, the yokai hadn't an ounce of strength left in her frame, the automaton's hand falling away as Eula fell to her knees, then to the ground. "If...you wish to view this as me putting you in my debt...then here's how you can repay it. The flying hornet Yokai...if she survives this, guide her to me. ...She has unfinished business with me. W-Wi-With-With-With Me..."

With those words, Eula stopped moving in a relatively calm part of the battle, eyes shutting as she powered down temporarily. ...She couldn't do anything anymore until she was repaired. And she would save every bit of her strength for one last thing.

Meeting Kerry and "finishing" things as the Hornet had said. Eula wasn't sure if she would have to fight, but she was certain she couldn't win. Still, this was the conviction one needed in times like this. She may not agree with Kerry...but she would meet her, as ready as she possibly could be.

Tales Of Shizuyama: Alternative (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

A Heart of Broken Dreams

Name: Vivian

Race: Glacies

Magic/Abilities/Equipment:

• Frozen Soul: Born of ice and feeding off of heat, Vivian's entire body is as cold as ice and outputs an aura of extreme cold. Thankfully for those around her, she can decrease this freezing aura's potency to only bring the temperature down a few degrees. When brought to full potency, Vivian can use her aura to freeze the ground solid enough to "skate" across it with her limbs of sharpened ice.
• Frozen Heart: Glacies have frozen themselves, heart and soul, for their Queen. As such, while many Monsters are susceptible to demonic energy, Glacies are highly resistant to their monstrous nature and can hide their presence from Monster detection spells rather well.
• Vaganova grand pas de glace: With their long graceful limbs and culture of arts, Glacies of the Queendom of Lyonesse fight not with spells or weapons, but with a combative form of dance similar to human ballet crossed with figure skating. Swift graceful movements are emphasized, as frozen limbs are sharpened to stand at toe-point and slice through man-made armor. Dances can be freeform, or follow plays much like human ballet, and even though the movements appear wasteful and full of openings, many soldiers have found themselves bewildered by the speed of ice cutting through steel.
• Waterswan's Wings: A classic ballet in Lyonesse tells of the beautiful swan queen, born upon a lake of pure crystal who fell in love with a hunter who saved her from a pitch black vulture. Endebted to the man, she wove her feathers one by one into a vest as thanks, only for the man to meet his end before she finished. The swan's tears descended on the lake, freezing in the icy waters until they formed Lyonesse, its Queen, and her tears in turn made her subjects. Of course, its all just a story, but many young frostlings' imagination is sparked by this story of lost love, resulting in many aspiring to take part in the royal ballet. This garment, made of fabric so fine as to be near invisible, is a mark of honor for Vivian as one who played a part in the royal ballet. Provides marginal magic resistance, and is enchanted to never fray or tear so long as it is worn.

Personality:
An emotionally stunted diva that has trouble relating to others, Vivian can often come across as incredibly curt, to the point, and melancholy. And...she is! But, as one gets a bit closer to the icy dancer, one can start to see the façade that's there. The inability to not scrutinize others due to expecting scrutiny of herself, the walls she built to peer past but never cross...beneath everything, Vivian is most scared of being hurt, and is almost incapable of trusting most. She seems to have at least opened up to Lady Kyouko enough to admit wanting to help, but is hesitant to trust in others, or rely upon them for help.

Background:
"Work hard, and you too can bear your heart upon this stage! Bare your souls to the Queen, and dance until your heart is freed!"

Such were the first words that Vivian remembered, proclaimed by one of the Queen's most loyal knights. Born to the underwater city of Lyonesse, populated almost exclusively by Glacies and aquatic species that could tolerate the cold, Vivian grew up around those with identical dreams to her. To serve her queen, to hone her skills to perfection, to defend her home, and to relive the fairy tale ballet ballads of old. Body, mind, and soul were harnessed to their utmost limits, training through grueling weeks where she didn't stop to rest. Every glacies of Lyonesse shines like a jewel, but Vivian would settle for nothing less than the top.

Hard work didn't always provide results, but for Vivian, raw passion burned in her frozen heart. To outdo those around her, to shine for her Queen, and to one day see the sun...those dreams drove Vivian through her life. But, dreams and passion alone aren't all life is worth living for. Make no mistake: Vivian is endlessly talented, dedicated, and hard working. But this isn't the story of a girl who did everything right. Toes were stepped upon, friendships broken, ties severed. To reach the top required sacrifice, and Vivian would sacrifice anyone and anything to exist at the top. For her soul to be free.

Callous and melancholy, Vivian was only alive upon the stage. Outside of it, her heart was icier than any Glacies. Love was only for the Queen. Time was only for the dance. Words were only for "yes" and "no". Rest was only until the next show.

When finally her dream came true, Vivian shone brightly upon the ice. The Queen watching, the city in silence, rapt attention all upon her in the Royal Ballet.

Allegro giusto...waltz...moderato...

Like a machine she danced, marvelously cutting the ice under her feet with such movements the theater had never seen, or would see again for some time. The curtains fell, the roses were thrown, and the last bow was taken...

And, behind those closed curtains, the limbs of Vivian had reached their breaking point and snapped. Flawless ice meant to last a lifetime broken down into irreparable pieces. To freeze new materials into place for a Glacies was child's play...but there was an ugliness to it as well. Perhaps it was a punishment. Her one moment in the spotlight was her last, as the ruined Vivian was wheeled off by those she despised as talentless, tended to by those she'd severed her heart from, and her new, blackened limbs made of beautifully cut obsidian inlaid with gold, all replaced save her left hand, the one left clutching the rose at curtain call.

She would never be the peerless, perfect ballerina the Queen had once seen. Would never take to the stage out of fear of her movements, now slower, weighed differently by the lovingly crafted replacements for her body, became a sluggish thing that she hated most of all. And so, she would leave Lyonesse behind without a word of thanks to anyone. Not for those who cheered for her, cared for her, or yearned for her return to the stage. A broken thing had no place in the perfect Royal Ballet.

Making her way across the ocean, Vivian would find herself at odds between a Varjan vessel and a boat from a no-name, no-consequence island called "Shizuyama". Something stirred in her chest upon seeing humans fighting their hardest. Their ugly, hard-fought battle, wherein they had no choice but to shed their lives, their bodies, their very souls for it. ...What purpose was there, in lives so small, so talentless, ignorant and indifferent, that she felt might as well have never been brought to this world at all?

...But, even ugly, shattered things, flailing as desperately as they can and wailing at the world were beautiful in their own way. With one grand movement that seemed to jump from the moon itself down, she would sink the Varjan ship with a gargantuan slice along its hull, before gliding along the water once more.

...Perhaps...here, her heart really could be free.

Da Roolz!

"Hm. So many types of people...I don't know how you stand this heat. And humidity. But, you're rather lucky. Not many would get the chance in all their lives to see a Royal Ballerina, especially not outsiders. Keep your eyes on me, if you want to be impressed."

I arrive!

Magus Reaver: Scions of Sorcery

Hector Wyland

@Polaris North, @PaulHaynek, @AzureKnight

---

Hector puffed his chest up a bit at having his name be recognized, content that someone actually knew who he was for once. Even a minor noble enjoyed a good ego stroke now and again. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Imre, he said before bowing in kind.

With everyone inside the carriage, Hector would relax a bit, proudly adjusting his rifle's holster over his shoulder while Herne idly slithered along his shoulders, the Master and Summon enjoying a bit of a rest after a spirited sprint. The last carriage ride had been filled with lady-puke and general discomfort, so Hector was glad that he would just get to enjoy the light breeze, and sights of the countryside. Hector wasn't in the know on what Ruecian was speaking of, but, if they had to fight some sort of plague beast, Hector was confident enough that he could prove a match for it.

...He was, in essence, absolutely "feeling himself."

Then came the call from the driver for everyone but Imre to step out. A problem had arrived, and bullets may in fact be the solution! Hector would leave the vehicle with the others, staring at the gathered brigands in their veils and hoods. Their weapons seemed wicked in design, but...well, Hector had a far more wicked weapon waiting on his back. Shavis had three to deal with and Ruecian had two facing him down, leaving five to charge at Einer and Hector. "Herne!" the sniper called out, the ghost snake responding with a hearty hiss before launching itself straight at the closest of the attackers. When he would swing upon it however, he would find that the snake lacked a physical body to truly "strike", in turn meaning nothing would happen.

But that moment of "nothing" was all Hector needed to have one of the five a little bit behind. Enough distance that now, Einer and himself could handle two each, with Hector's rifle being quickly brought out with a bullet already loaded in it. "[Smite!]" Hector called out, the incantation for his Thaumaturgy complete as he fired one shot, the range making it difficult to aim, and only managing to hit a little off-center of his arm...only for Hector to see the shot continue going, the arm now having a fist-sized hole in it.

...Oh, he was absolutely feeling himself now!

"Herne! Back to me! [Self Order: Control Left Arm!]" The sniper called out, his snake diving back out from the Earth, slithering up his leg, and seemingly "diving" into his arm, the limb gaining a slightly purple glow as Herne's head poked free of his wrist. The closest brigand facing Hector would swing at him with a wicked looking scimitar, the sniper barely managing to dodge back enough that he wouldn't get slashed across his chest. He didn't have time to pull the lever for his rifle to get another shot off, so Hector would entrust a single command to Herne:

Spin that rifle by the lever. In a coordinated move only possible thanks to his spirit's help, Hector would spin the gun by his middle and ring finger to deflect another swing from the scimitar, the motion carrying just enough force to open the bolt, sending the spent cartridge directly into the left eye of his attacker while Hector moved the bayonet to slide onto the gun. By the time his assailant recovered from the brass hitting his eye, Hector would change the angle of his arm to spin the gun once more at a lateral angle, the knife-tipped barrel slicing at his opponent's sword-arm as Herne kept on spinning. However, it seemed that the bard was having trouble with his opponent. Hector had an opening, and would level his rifle at the burly axeman’s chest before firing, not channeling another Smite due to him suspecting this rifle had more than enough stopping power for a brute of his size. "Are you alright?" he called out, turning his attention back to the wounded scimitar-wielder.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

@Enkryption, @AzureKnight

---

After getting her eyeballs properly cleaned by some very sanitary salt-water, Liliana was still rolling around in the boat screeching about her eye pain when they arrived. Teary-eyed and squinting, she would roll off of the boat and onto the shoreline, noticing some seriously ominous laughter coming from Alice's direction.

Getting up, Liliana would approach with Whimsy on her back. "...Lady Alice? I'm um...I-I forgive you for choking me and I'm sorry about accidentally tripping you, so um...are you alright?" she asked. She'd never seen Alice like this.

Eula

---

Blow after blow was intercepted by Eula, until one with far more power knocked her off her feet. The killing blow was only stopped thanks to the swordsman in white and red, whom Eula had never seen before. Slowly getting up with her elbows, Eula felt as if something inside her had broken from the mace hit to her stomach. Some internals were leaking collant, some connections severed. Her internals were working to fix the damage, but that could take hours of rest to fully heal. Standing, Eula could feel her left eye growing a touch dim, some internal connection having been strained enough from her standing to make seeing difficult.

"...Why?" Eula asked to Kazenosuke's question, seeking the answer herself.

Why did she let herself be destroyed to intercept fatal blows for humans?

Why did she join a conflict, an actual war, where she would have to fight humans and protect humans?

...And why did thinking about that answer cause clear coolant to leak from behind her malfunctioning eye.

"...Mm. I think I understand myself now," Eula said, already turning back towards the fighting. Her lips curled into a slight smile as she looked back to Kazenosuke, her broken arm now dangling from the barest bits of internal wiring and cables.

"That's because I-"

"Well, its because we made her to-"

"Love humans too much to see them die."

Before she could say anything else, Eula was back in the fight as she had been, fighting to protect rather than destroying anything.

Magus Reaver: Scions of Sorcery

Hector Wyland

---

Collab: How to blow 2k gold on a really cool gun

Hector had to admit, he wasn’t opposed at all to a little drink of whiskey. ”Whiskey’s fine by me,” he said, removing his rifle from his back and laying it upon a nearby table. ”I was looking to up the firepower on my rifle, if at all possible. My most recent fight against Makara made me realize that its lacking in penetration. …I’m not…the most talented Magus here, so I want to have every advantage I can in a real fight.”

The old man promptly tossed the eye-patch toting noble a full flask, straight from his stash which never seemed to run empty. "Ah, if I recall young man, I believe that was the same mission that dancing Alchemist girl went on as well." He said, walking away from his desk. He grabbed an old chair and put it at Hector's feet. "Take a load off." He said. He then grabbed another and placed it so that he'd be sitting right in front of him.

"I heard that mission took one hell of a turn. The alchemist girl had drunk some nasty waste, and something about a guy who could regenerate? Weird shit." Childes said, downing a bit of his drink. "But, enough about that. Lemme see yer rifle there, son. If ya don't mind."

Hector would deftly catch the flask, unscrewing the top and taking a swig. Strong, but it had a good flavor. He would hand over his rifle, saying: ”Here. I just hope that I can prove more useful next time,” the noble said, capping the flask and setting it on the table. ”Dancing, huh? And, half of that ‘weird shit’ was caused by Scarlett to begin with.”

"I’ve no doubt!" Johannes said with a hearty chuckle. "Now then, let’s have a looksee…" He held the gun in various positions, inspection and making a few vocal sounds to signify deep thought. "Top-notch craftsmanship, chamber and other inner-workings made to resonate with mana, of course they can’t forget the gaudy decoration." He took out the weapon’s magazine, inspecting the bullets. "Yep, everything down to bullet count and size is standard Flugell issue."

He put the mag back into the weapon, then set it on the table. "I imagine you make good use of your snakey friend to rid yerself of recoil shock and ensure precise aiming in all scenarios, am I right son?" He said, walking away toward a work bench for a moment, promptly setting the gun down on it. "Making armor piercing rounds ain’t nothing to write home about. But, there’s more we can work on."

He then turned to the wayward noble. "With your permission of course."

”You’d guess right on how I use Herne to stabilize. And, feel free. What did you have in mind,” Hector said, then asked. Any help was invaluable, as Hector needed an edge over dangerous enemies. His bullets weren’t anywhere near as effective on the Makara as he’d have hoped, with him needing a clean shot straight through the skull to get them to stop at all.

Any beast that charged with a metal slug barrelling through it was just as terrifying as any Malfested.

"Gonna exchange the barrel so it can fit the new bullets I'll be making for ya, for one!" He said, putting the gun back on the workbench. Walking over to a storage cabinet, Childes swung the door open and grabbed what looked to be a utility bag of sorts, various tools could be seen poking out of its openings and crevices. He placed the bag beside the gun, opening it up and taking out a few tools.

"In addition, I'm gonna throw in a couple of nifty tweaks to spruce up the mana channeling. The metal generally used in these models is the cheap shit." He chuckled. "And, of course, some new big boy bullets to go along with your upgrade. "

Soon, the lab would be filled with the sounds of tinkering metal and electrical sparks. When the old smithy went to work, no one knew what to expect…

Hector liked the sound of upgrading the barrel and mana channeling. Enough so that he’d stay and watch from a distance, appreciating the older craftsman’s work as he made Hector’s peashooter into something more akin to a proper magus’ weapon. Something that he might have to grow into, if he was being honest with himself.

After a few more minutes of tinkering and metal clanking, Hector would hear a distinct clicking sound that signified that Johannes had finished his work on the gun. A satisfied grin sat on the man’s face as he held the gun in his hands. "You’re gonna love this!" He snickered, handing the gun back to the sniper. The metal used to upgrade the chamber was of a higher grade as promised, along with being able to resonate with magical energy to a higher extent. Only someone who’s used the weapon for a long time would even notice the difference in the way the weapon now felt.

"Hang on for a minute while I whip some bullets up for ya!" He continued, walking over to another bench. "Care for another flask?"

While more booze was tempting after the last little quest he’d been on, Hector didn’t think getting sloshed was a good idea. But, the sniper was eager to check the gun, able to feel the subtle thrum of power from it, as the new conductive material resonated with the faint spark of magic in Hector. With mechanical precision, Hector would disassemble the gun piece-by-piece, admiring Johannes’ handiwork in a way that only someone who knew his weapon really could. ”This is incredible…and the weight feels like its hardly increased. You really are some kind of genius,” Hector said, reassembling the gun and having it back in working order within a single minute. ”How can I repay you?”

"Glad you approve, damn well better!" Childes said, laughing to himself. Having pulled out a rusty ammo machine along with some crafting materials, he had answered Hector without turning his way. One had to wonder why Johannes would use such an old looking contraption, judging by the spots and marks of grime on the device he must’ve had it for decades. He was right at work, regardless, with more sounds of clanking along with the grinding of fine dust.

Seeming to have finished, the new bullets were put into a magazine case, enough for about three or four reloads. Each of them held about six bullets; he tossed the cases up and down in his hand with intriguing precision.

"Well, son…" He began, responding to Hector’s question. "Since we both work here, it only makes sense that I make yer job easier. HOWEVER, those parts and materials ain’t cheap, and my vendor seems to agree! Normally, the fine tune and chamber replacement run ya a fine sum. Not to mention I threw in these babies as well. But, since I like ya, I’ll give ya a discount this time. How’s 2,000G sound? I hope that won’t hurt ya wallet too much, the missions y’all lot completed should paid a hefty sum."

Given that the quest awarded a suspiciously equal amount to that price, Hector was eager to say: ”Mm. Its a deal,” while also making a note to check his own finances once he was alone with his ledger.

"Pleasure doin’ business with ya, youngin' ' Childes said, shaking his hand and handing him the cases. "Tell me how she treats ya when you get back from whatever mission you decide on! Will ya be needing me for anything else, Mr. Hector?"

”Not that I can think of. But, I’ll be sure to come to you for anything else weapon-related I might have in the future. I’ll be sure to tell you about its performance when I return. Thanks for everything,” Hector said, glad to have spent some money to ensure his future at the tower.

…Though…now he had to find a mission that suited this newfound firepower. Or one that paid enough to make back the difference. Departing from the workshop, Hector would check the board and immediately be drawn into the idea of the escort mission. High pay, potential monsters, and a scion of the Molnar family in need of aid…it couldn’t be more perfect if Hector staged it himself. His father was already disapproving of him being at the tower, but perhaps a job like this would put the tower in a favorable light amongst nobility…and help in the upcoming review by the church.

With the newfound bullets and adjusted rifle, Hector would rush headlong to the meeting place, a fair bit behind those who had already left for the quest. As such, he would be arriving a touch later, just as everyone was making introductions. A healthy bit of cardio never killed anyone.

@Polaris North, @PaulHaynek, @AzureKnight

The sniper would make his presence known as he cleared his throat, saying: ”My deepest apologies for being late! I thought my gun could do with some tuning up,” before he would bow slightly to Imre and her servant, saying: ”Hector Wyland, at your service.”

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Eula

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Takeshi offered two options to Eula: To go back and check on the others, or to keep on pressing the assault with the other warriors of Shizuyama. To her, the only option was to ensure that someone as significant to the region as Takeshi was for him to go and check on the situation. "You're more tactically minded than I am, Takeshi. I will make sure to break through the Varjans here," the automaton said, taking a few steps past Takeshi to rejoin the fighting.

"Oh, and..." Eula would turn back, smiling slightly at Takeshi. "I wouldn't mind learning from you, after this battle. I still have a lot to learn about humans...and I have heard people understand one another when they exchange blows. I look forward to it," the automaton said, before running off with sword in hand, wasting no time as she did what Takeshi asked of her. Her mission was to protect as many soldiers as she could, even if she herself was forbidden from lethally dispatching of any Varjans.

"Laguna? Can you hear me?"

"Of course I can, silly. We didn't give up our audio processors. Those were easy to salvage for her."

Humans were fundamentally flawed creatures. Arrogant, prideful, violent, hypocritical, cowardly, contradictory...so why?

Why was she born to love them so much?

Why did this world love humanity enough to have Monsters love them too?

Eula couldn't think of an answer, as she intercepted a lethal blow for a soldier, her stout arm parrying a Varjan axe, before a blast from her arm stunned the attacker long enough for him to be finished by another. But, even the person she just defended wasn't safe, as an arrow hit him through the eye. Again and again, Eula would save two, lose one, advance three, be knocked down, and have to stand again. It was a game of attrition, one wherein Eula was a Queen that could never take any piece on the board.

She could only bear with the reality of war. She couldn't save anybody. She couldn't kill anybody. She couldn't do anything but hope for victory from others, all while her hands were forced to remain clean of blood.

"Mm. I think...if she thinks like that...maybe the world will be kind to her. Don't you think?"