The Irish Tree

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

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[@Breakthrough Crew!]
Liliana had to wonder...why was everyone lying? Alice wouldn't up and leave. After all...she was a queen Liliana had absolute confidence in. There's no way someone like that would just leave her friends behind!

...Right?

Liliana wasn't sure, but she was sure Shizuka wasn't a liar but...m-maybe Alice went on a secret mission, and couldn't tell anybody. She's the type to go off on her lonesome and do something dangerous, then brush it off as if it was nothing. Liliana just hoped she'd come back soon.

Still, Liliana would be uncharacteristically quiet during the journey, at least until it was time for the mission. Ayu seemed to be talking to someone, and when he was introduced, Liliana was...confused. "So...Shizuka is Shizuka's brother?" the little fairy would flutter over and gently poke the newly introduced Shizuka's cheeks, chuckling. "Its kinda bouncy! And, if you're shipping sake, I could turn invisible and sneak in with it. Or, Io could put a sleeping spell on the drinks or something," Liliana said, joyfully smushing the swindler's cheeks while they formed their plan.

"Plus, I bet it'll work! If this Shizuka's as brave as our Shizuka, then his name isn't Shizukan't! ...Or...I guess that doesn't really work. Forget it. But pleaaaaase Mr. Shorter, more-fun-to-poke Shizuka? Won't you help us?"

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Eula

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@Rezod92

"Hm?"

The automaton was confused on Kerry's confusion. ...Was it not to be expected that they were simply making a stop? He hadn't ever said that the village they'd gone to was their final stop. But, Kerry did at least seem remorseful of what her and Relica had done. The automaton would nod thoughtfully. "I will make sure you keep that promise, Kerry. I promise."

Then came the question of why Eula hadn't simply ended Kerry then and there. Even if she meant to just take the money back for the monk, it was always within Eula's power to sneak one clean shot on Kerry to retrieve it. Eula would hum, seemingly wondering that herself as she tipped her own chin up, casting eyes to the ceiling. "...I suppose...it was more than directive driving me. I was angry. Very much so. I weighed the option of a fatal attack. After all, Monsters are able to be hurt more severely with our own energy than the humans its meant to tempt and beguile. But..."

Eula would look back to Kerry and approach her, without malice or anger in her eyes, motion, or mechanical heart as she tenderly cupped the hornet girl's cheek in her left hand. "Its because I knew you and Relica weren't bad people. You were just confused, given the situation." Kerry would likely notice...Eula was different from before. Somehow...perhaps something had broken. Releasing Kerry's cheek, Eula would take a step back. "There is still a lot to do, given the Varjans' recent boldness. I won't allow them to hurt people as they please."

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

Vivian

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@Rune_Alchemist,@AzureKnight(VRA/KIR/LAV)

Well, someone had a modicum of manners! Upon being treated with cordiality, Vivian was inclined to respond just the same. "From what I saw of my visit, Lady Kyouko is in good health. She has a good eye for people it seems, as she was willing to send me here," The Glacies said with confidence, looking from Nyla to the obvious noble accompanying her, then to the other male that seemed to be a warrior of some type, given his powerful presence, and the general feeling of strength he gave off. Then, there was the masked woman with icy hair beside Vară, who gave off a somewhat...familiar feeling, Vivian thought.

Overall, a fine assemblage of warriors, with the Glacies and the two mobling sisters seeming to round their numbers out. ...Still not a very large number, though. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but this place seems rather...ill-fit to be a base for a war," Vivian said, while not so subtly inching her way back towards Vară to feed off her ambient heat.

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

A festival can be anywhere as long as you have fun!

Appearance

Name: Matsuri Okitsu

Race: Inari (Single-Tailed Fledgeling)

Magic/Abilities/Equipment:

• Black-Burnt Bamboo Cannon: One of the first fireworks cannons used in her family's history, this charred black tube has one very simple function: Launch some fireworks! It also just so happens to be pretty heavy, making it function well as a battering ram if needed.
• Summertime Memory: Matsuri can virtually always be seen wearing her yukata, albeit a bit loosened to make moving around a lot easier. The fabric has seen a few years of use, but her Inari nature has kept it strong and vibrant.
• Papa's Charm: A little talisman with the faintest fragrance of home. A little reminder that she'll always have somewhere to return to.
• Single Tailed Inari: Despite lacking any experience using magic prior to her becoming a Monster, Matsuri's Inari powers manifest as simple magics that allow her to create objects, small flames, gusts of wind, and minor illusions...and, ironically, have given her a near-infinite supply of fireworks for her personal ammo storage. She isn't skilled enough at using her own powers to hide her yokai nature.
• Okitsu Hanabi Catalog: A collection of fireworks of various sizes, colors, and brightnesses, serving as ammo for Matsuri's Bamboo Cannon. Each of these are beautiful works of art and chemistry in and of themselves, but can be used as disorienting and powerful weapons. Channeling her demonic energy, can almost infinitely generate the pieces of her catalog, making them closer to magic than simple fireworks.
  
  Okitsu Hanabi Catalog Version Matsuri

  Starlight Sparkler: Demonic energy is infused into a simple hand-held sparkler, turning it into a flaming torch capable of weakening metal over continued contact, and causing the trail of multi-colored sparks to form a roughly whip-like shape that can grasp objects. Typically used in one's hand, but can be launched from the Bamboo Cannon.
  
  Bang-Bang Bomber: An extremely simple firework that does one thing: Blow up extremely loud. Effectively the "normal" ammo for her Bamboo Cannon, this is Matsuri's go-to, given the strong impact, loud explosion, and ease of use. Can even be thrown as a grenade if she doesn't want to use her cannon.
  
  Never-Ending Starry Night: The most simple launched firework Matsuri has available, in the style of a Chrysanthemum shell. A beautiful golden rain of sparks in a sphere erupts from the shell, radiating light continually in a spherical radius. Useful for lighting up an area, or serving as a flash bomb for enemies. The sphere will persist for about ten seconds.
  
  Kyuubi Buster: A shell that Matsuri devised herself after taking over the business, a nine-stage bursting shell that lets off brilliant white streaks of light that loop back around on themselves as they descended, forming a twirling stream of lights. When launched by Matsuri, the nine-stage shell will quickly go through each stage, having enough speed to even knock a grown man down as it flies, with the ninth stage of explosive release resulting in a magical spiral of fire that's as deadly as it is beautiful.
  
  Matsuri Color Bomber: A somewhat pointless firework meant to serve as a signal more than anything, Color Bomber makes a giant symbol in the sky designed to look like Matsuri sticking her tongue out and giving a thumbs-up. ...That's it. That's all it does. "Papa...I hope you see this wherever you are! I'm doing great!"

Personality:
Kind and dignified, Matsuri carries herself with a surprising amount of dignity given her humble origins. With a can-do attitude and a lot of guts, she's braver than most would expect a girl who, quite literally a month ago, couldn't stand on her own two feet. Still, just because she's dignified doesn't mean she can't be rowdy when pushed, having enough bumpkin in her to tussle if need be. More than anything, Matsuri enjoys making people smile, and lighting up the lives of others whether it be with fireworks or conversation.

Background:
"Hey...did you hear? Okitsu's little girl got sick real bad."

"How horrible...she isn't even hardly a lady, and her life's already being cut short..."

"The boss has holed himself up for days...can't blame him. I don't know what I'd do if my kid was coughing up blood."

"Hope the boss snaps out of it soon but...hell, we'll all pitch in! Okitsu Fireworks won't be going under while we're still breathin'!"

It was an utterly ordinary life, lived in an utterly ordinary way, cut short in a strange, extraordinary way. Matsuri Okitsu had lived an ordinary life in her home, the daughter of a fireworks maker who had raised her all on his own. Having found the child abandoned in the mountains, Makoto Okitsu would raise her as if she were his flesh and blood. Makoto's luck suddenly took a major turn after his act of kindness, receiving a great amount of money from the local lord for a plethora of fireworks...enough so, that Okitsu Hanabi went from a one-man operation, to a village-scale production that could deliver fireworks around the entirety of Zipangu!

Teaching his adoptive daughter everything he knew, Makoto would become wealthy enough to give the both of them a good life, all while teaching Matsuri the in's and out's of making fireworks and running their new explosive empire. The workers were just as much family to Matsuri as her own father was, with countless aunts, uncles, and even a few yokai in the mix working to make the best fireworks that Zipangu had ever seen. Life couldn't be better, until a week after Matsuri's 17th birthday, she suddenly collapsed, coughing up blood. All at once, Makoto's spirit broke and he sought every cure possible for his daughter, eventually seeing the knowledgeable Ryu known as Lady Kyouko who would deliver a terrifying revelation:

Matsuri had been abandoned as a baby due to a curse on her, that would end her life before she turned 18. She'd been a ticking time bomb from the start. Thrown into despair, Makoto devoted every waking hour of his life to Matsuri, wanting to at least make the last year of her life as happy as possible. On what would have been the last night of her life, cradled in her father's arms, Makoto would receive an offer from one of the most powerful Inari in the region:

"Give yourself over to me, and I'll ensure your daughter lives. Even if she won't be human anymore...she'll be happy. I can promise you that."

On that night, Makoto vanished, along with Matsuri's illness...and her humanity. Awakening as an Inari, Matsuri was...disoriented at first, but was in perfect health, and now left with the reins to the business. It was tough getting by without her father, but...Matsuri knew that he was alive, and probably happy, and would carry on running his dream, waiting for him to return one day. That was, until she heard about the Varjan invasion of Shizuyama, one of the nearby islands. Bidding farewell to her large family of workers and yokai alike, Matsuri would storm off to Lady Kyouko herself, desperate to help. Why? Simple.

Her father was born in Shizuyama, and had emigrated to the mainland as a young boy.

If the land ever had any meaning to her father at all, she'd fight for it...and make sure to lighten up the hearts of those who'd lost people, homes, and land to the Varjans.

Da Roolz!

"Hey, Hey! Matsuri Okitsu has arrived! Nice to meet you! If you ever want to see something really cool, or have any idea for special fireworks, just come find me. Hehe...I bet even Lord Oja'd be floored with the fireworks I can fire off. Oh and uh...kon-kon? Is that how Inari talk? I'm a little new to all this...hehe..."

Bang bang boom time!

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

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@AzureKnight(SHI), @Crowvette

Finally! Finally, finally, finally, Liliana was going to get to see Io's magic in full action! Team pink was finally formed, and Liliana was eager to get going as soon as possible. "Io, I'm glad I'll finally get to see your super wizard magic in action! I kinda showed up right at the end here, but I'm sure you were blowing things up left and right." The fairy would shrink down to her actual size, eagerly flying about. This was going to be great! They'd blow up some Varjan troops, have an adventure, and Liliana could tell Alice all..about...it..

...Oh. Right. She wasn't here right now. Liliana would look around for her once again, expecting her to be off somewhere alone with Carroll but... "She'll turn up eventually! Lady Alice is probably already off on another mission, is all..." the fairy thought to herself, clapping her hands against her cheeks to pep herself back up. And now, Shizuka was even volunteering to go with them! Liliana would flutter over to him and proudly stand on his shoulder. "Mhm! Me and Shizuka have experience in attacking places with lots of water around them by now, so this'll be cake! And if Io's tired, we can give her some cover. Right?" The fairy said, then asked, turning to Shizuka and sitting down on his shoulder.

Eula

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@Rezod92

"Well...I must admit, I'm rather upset Kikyo didn't pass my message along." The automaton would cross her arms, displaying perhaps the most emotion she'd had in a while as she pouted. "Especially after she ranted at me about how I was simply saving lives so they'd be indebted to me."

Then, Kerry's question came. Tilting her head quizzically, Eula would express her confusion with: "You left, and as such were no longer a threat to the humans in the village. I had no reason to give chase." Perhaps, now it was becoming clearer to Kerry that Eula...didn't actually have any desire to fight her at all, back there. Or even now. "After you and Relica left, I followed the Monk back to his actual home, and there I helped cure the villagers of the disease that was affecting them. It turned out to simply be some poison in the well that was causing the issue. Likely Varjans."

Eula would turn to Revuel, a smile on her face. "My thanks for re-attaching my arm. And, even moreso for your bravery in aiding these people. If there is ever anything I can do to help you, please let me know."

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

Vivian

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@Enkryption(UMI/RCD), @AzureKnight(VRA/KIR/LAV), @Rune_Alchemist

It seemed that Kyouko thought that Vivian might find a more..."permanent" food source, though she doubted it. She'd likely have to rely on the food source she mentioned, though she had no idea what sort of man would let himself be almost frozen. She'd drained a few Varjan soldiers of their heat from the battle she'd partaken in, so she was full for a few days at the least. Vivian, the mutt, and her sister would stand in the teleportation circle, with Vivian keeping a careful eye on Umami...not out of concern for violence, but expecting that she might try to lick her once again.

Once they arrived in a flash of light, Vivian would walk forward out of the temple, folding her arms as she took in the slightly humid air and general squalor of the place. For someone used to ice palaces, glass streets, and ice rinks, everything here was very...dull. Wood was for peasants. This green-robed person seemed to be getting their attention, and focusing it on the young lord. Vivian had no idea how important this man actually was, but would show due courtesy with a graceful bow. "Vivian of Lyonesse. Feel free to ask for me by name if you wish to see Lyonesse's famous royal ballet performances."

A sizeable entourage followed the young lord, including a slimy looking woman, a bald buff man, a masked monster, some fetching white-robed human, and a woman with a rather...delectable looking aura about her. Vivian was quick to approach Vară and hum, smiling softly. "Such an avant garde fashion sense. Is this how people accessorize above sea level?" she asked, seeming to assume the dirt was part of the ensemble. In truth, Vivian just wanted to siphon some free heat off of the demon noble.

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

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@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

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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

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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

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...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.