The Irish Tree

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

Vivian

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@AzureKnight(VRA), @Rezod92
It was good that no blood needed to be shed today, especially since Vivian was sure that this man was more than just idle rumors and boasting. He hadn't let his guard down even once, to the extent he sensed their invisibile comrade nearb-

Wait.

"...Being honest, I thought it was only Varã and I here. Whoever's there, might as well give up the ghost. The ronin has your number," Vivian said, encouraging Zeta to come out of hiding since there wasn't much point. The clairvoyant ronin say through all, it seemed.

Vivian didn't like to acknowledge her lack of foresight, but really, who would have suspected they'd be tailed by another monster? Not letting it phase her too badly, Vivian would just focus on answering Kazenosuke's questions. After she scooted just a bit away from the ronin to make sure he wasn't close enough to be drained by her aura. "Takeshi's father is a noble of great importance, so I imagine even the Varjans wouldn't just execute him outright. Political puppets are always vital to a good drama after all. As for the army...I imagine they were slaughtered to the last, to prove a point. Otherwise, we wouldn't be necessary." Having given her sufficiently hopeless summary of the situation, Vivian would then add: "But, between us and the allies Takeshi hopes he can count on, they're expecting that taking a port will be sufficient for landing aid. I'd tell you where our headquarters are, but you haven't agreed to help yet."

Standing, Vivian would give Kazenosuke some warming room, stepping forward a few steps. "Speaking purely from a position of numbers, we can't even fight a warband with how many we have. I've never had someone I can call a friend, but...in the stories I've played part in, a bond between two can overcome virtually anything this world has to offer. Perhaps, the bond you and Takeshi share is one such instance. Oh and, don't worry about yokai, I imagine we'll all leave once this conflict concludes. For whatever comfort that is, at least."

---

Matsuri

---

It was already close to dark, and Matsuri was starting to think that this search was beyond her. ...Who was she kidding, trying to find ninjas when her expertise was in making fireworks!? "This is hopeless..." she muttered under her breath, before she heard a heavy footstep crack a twig nearby. Hurriedly, Matsuri would hide behind a few bushes, peeking out as the armed and armored soldiers came bearing torches. ...It looked like someone else was combing the forest.

These had to be Varjans, given how their armor and robes looked foreign to what Matsuri had seen of the island's people. She didn't stand a chance against one of these warriors, and the robed people were giving her the creeps. Turning tail and running would be best while they didn't see her but...those shinobi were out here somewhere. And trained soldiers were way more likely to find them than Matsuri was. Working up her courage, Matsuri would don her festival mask and hold a hand out before her. Concentrating her energy, a ball of fireworks would appear from seemingly nothing, the heft of it tested by Matsuri as she tossed it up and down. "One surprise shot...and then, the Kyuubi Buster when they're isolated," the inari confirmed mentally, before removing he bamboo cannon and leveling it. She wouldn't have much time, but...this should make for one hell of a distraction, and potentially let the hiding shinboi have enough of an opening to escape.

With the faintest hiss masked by a distant illusion of rustling, Matsuri's Never-Ending-Starry Night would fly in the midst of the crowd, the inari letting loose a loud clap just before detonation. Once the flash started and the dome of light engulfed the group, Matsuri would make herself scarce, working up the energy for her Kyuubi Buster as she ran. "Can't lead them back to the temple, so...time to have them waste time!" she thought, concentrating her energy one an illusion of herself in an obvious hiding spot, that, when they approached, would quickly bolt away. Matsuri hadn't especially pushed the limits of her new state of monsterhood, but already felt herself moving a lot faster than she ever had, and wasn't even tired after searching all day. Maybe, just maybe, she stood a chance at an endurance battle in a location she'd spent all day searching every nook and cranny of.

"This yokai magic stuff is hard but...just you watch papa, I'm gonna keep everyone safe!"

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

Vivian

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@AzureKnight(VRA), @Rezod92
It seemed Kazenosuke was determined to continue playing hard to get, and that they'd have to use the pass-phrase that Takeshi had provided to them. Of course, Vivian had no clue what a "miko" was, but would speak before her fiery companion made things worse. "Your lord couldn't come, because he was...how did he put it? 'Busy dressed up as a Miko.'. I have no idea what that means, butt he was sure that you'd be troublesome to deal with unless we said that," Vivian said, unaware that a new arrival had joined them.

Crossing her legs, Vivian would say: "As for whether we're your comrades or enemies...I have no intention of staying after this conflict resolves, so, consider me a tourist if you must." The glacies seemed to have no intention of moving from her log, glancing skyward to observe a passing cloud. "...Though I must admit...as an artist, I'm curious on how a Blademaster carries himself in a fight. It isn't just fighting for you, is it? You carry your sword as an extension of your body, rather than a tool for killing."

---

Matsuri

---

"O-Oh. Right. Sorry, I'll keep that a secret," Matsuri said quickly in response to Ayu's worries, before trotting off to decide on what she'd do. It seemed a lot of people needed help, not just Lord Oja...but, as much as it upset Matsuri to realize, she wasn't the best of fighters. As such, she thought it'd be best to tackle a job that wouldn't guarantee fighting. Shinobi were famous through Zipangu for their esoteric arts and stealth, and Matsuri figured...if they had spies like that on their side, this conflict might be over way sooner!

Trotting off after getting directions, Matsuri would circle the forest outskirts for a little while before taking a break in a clearing, sitting on a rock while she looked at the treeline above her. "Looking for shinobi is a lot harder than I thought it'd be. ...Wait...maybe if I leave a peace offering, they'll come out of hiding!" she would quickly leap to her feet, looking over her belongings and then suddenly realizing how silly of an idea that was. That worked with wild animals...not trained and hardened shinobi.

Ears drooping after realizing her idea wouldn't work, Matsuri resolved to at least leave out one of the many packed lunches her factory's employees had made for her journey, figuring that they would at least appreciate a good meal. Everyone got hungry, and she had to imagine it was hard for the shinobi to find any food with the Varjans taking over a good part of the villages on the island. Picking herself back up, the inari would soon start looking again, hoping to at least find something to show for her search.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

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[@Breakthrough Crew]
Liliana had to cover her mouth to keep from making any noise, the sheer disrespect for the dead present making her sick to her stomach. Before coming to these islands, Liliana had never known "death" beyond the romantic. Novels and stories of lovers choosing to die with each other, knights dying for glory, the death of a demon bringing happiness but...

There wasn't any purpose to these deaths. These lives discarded like garbage and left to rot. It made the tiny fairy's arms tremble, her sword's mental suggestions the only thing keeping her from charging in recklessly. ...The Varjans would have to pay, sooner or later. After being broken from her stupor by a raindrop nearly sending her to the ground, Liliana would make haste to the barracks while her invisibility held up, slipping in beside a Varjan rushing inside to take shelter. Black armored soldiers lined the bunks and huddled for warmth, giving Liliana plenty of time to try and spot any ranking officer's among them.

Of course, she had no idea what a Varjan officer looked like, mostly assuming they had giant horns and ate babies for breakfast, but the only one to stand out was a bare-chested man with javelins that seemed to be getting some admiration from his fellow Varjans. That had to be the guy but...if Liliana started a fight here, she'd definitely have trouble getting out in one piece. As such, it was time to...improvise a little. Fairies weren't particularly clever in many ways, but there was exactly one, one definitive way that a fairy was always smarter than anyone else:

Playing pranks!

...Well, maybe pixies were better at that, but...fairies were a close second place!

Thinking on her wings, Liliana quickly flitted about the room, starting to cause minor annoyances that could absolutely be pinned on another Varjan. A slight tugging of a blanket, a slap on the rear, and a dash of magic on herself, doubling Haste and Invisibility up in order to flit around as a whirlwind of whimsy, doing her damndest to make sure these Varjans were at each other's throats...and, hopefully overhear something to prove whether the man with many javelins was an officer, or just a decorated mook.

"I hope everyone else has more luck...but now, if the soldiers are all heading inside, maybe they'll have more luck looking in the manor," the fairy thought, constantly preparing herself in case she got caught.

---

Eula

---

@Enkryption
After a long session of hand-holding and battery charging, Eula was right as rain once more and would depart from the building her and Carroll were hold up in. In truth, she wasn't sure if the efficiency had actually increased but...it felt nice, having someone to cling to. Perhaps they could charge together again later. With a few words of thanks, the terse Automaton would idly wonder if any tarts remained before overhearing a nearby conversation.

...It seemed the people's faith in Lord Oja was such that they believed him capable of solving everything if he were freed. Confidence like that doesn't come unwarranted, in times like these. Eula couldn't stand to just wait and recover...and, as long as she was at least helping somehow, it didn't necessarily have to jeopardize her gradual repairs. Eula would pause as she walked, considering what could be done...before figuring, going at it alone would be foolish. There had to be something she could do...

Turning to her companion, Eula would say: "I've heard that a lord's wife has gone missing. Do you think that if we found her, it might help alleviate the people's worries a bit?" A simple plan, but...it was better than just sitting around.

Magus Reaver: Scions of Sorcery

Hector Wyland

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@PaulHaynek,@Polaris North

It was a bit of an awkward ride back after the group received a vague explanation as to who the heavily armed brigands were, and...Hector was having trouble accepting Ruecian's congratulations. Hector had barely hung on by the skin of his teeth, and was left with a busted nose and a bruised ego for his troubles. Einer got off worse, with a bullet through his shoulder. Plain and simple...Shavis was the only one to really hold up to the Tower's reputation, save for Ruecian who was so far above Hector that it didn't bare mentioning in his mind.

Einer's music soothed the nerves of those present, and Hector would close his eye. Peace, but won not through his own strength. The group would be back at the tower in due time, with Hector shuffling out of the carriage and bowing respectfully to Irma as she bid farewell. ...Some small part of him didn't just resent the fact he failed, but...the fact that such a lovely lady had to stain her hands with blood to save his life. Hector knew she was strong, and yet...it was more from a burgeoning affection that formed this shame.

As Ruecian declared that it was time for them to get some rest, Hector would clench his left hand, looking down at his boots. He couldn't undo his failures, but he could ensure that they'd never happen again. His gun had been fine-tuned, but the finger pulling the trigger remained as dull as ever. So he'd need to hone himself. "Ruecian. I have a favor to ask of you," The marksman spoke, meeting Ruecian's eyes with his own. "I'm ignorant to how Magi improve themselves. If it weren't for Lady Irma's timely intervention, me and Einer would be far worse off. As such...please. Train me."

It was quite the thing for a man who scoffed at magic early in his life to plead like this...the second, bitter taste that Hector had tasted. The first time was his instructor in Thaumaturgy, whom he pleaded to teach him how to destroy apparitions. Galdr...flowed somehow from that. And now, Hector thought that perhaps, a new teacher could lead him to greater heights. He'd never manage it on his own, late bloomer that he was. Herne would pop free of Hector's sleeve, slithering up his arm and wrapping one coil around his shoulder for support, before hissing once. ...That...might also be him asking to be trained, though training an ephemeral snake is a tall order.

"Oh and Shavis, he does fantastic work. A might bit expensive, but well worth it," Hector said, wondering just how dangerous the Belua woman would become with an upgraded arsenal.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

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[@Breakthrough Crew]
Liliana felt bad seeing how badly Ayu wanted to come along but...it was safer to leave this to the monsters, and the monstrously strong. The little fairy's heart sank as she heard the suffering of those around her, but...they'd bring justice soon. Even if she would self-consciously tug at the hem of her dress, frustrated as she held back her instincts to just...jump out and help.

It would be nightfall by the time they were free to begin their plan. Liliana had a feeling she might have the best chance of moving around undetected, and would float up a bit. Quietly, she would say: "Alright...since I can turn invisible, I think I should check out the barracks. Maybe since the estate is bigger, there will be better places for you all to sneak around in. ...And um...everyone...please be safe." The fairy was more quiet than usual, grabbing her sword before cycling through enough spells to turn invisible.

Now, she just had to find any obviously high-ranking Varjans and...take them out in one fell swoop. It wasn't very knightly, but right now...she felt like people who enjoyed inflicting suffering this much didn't deserve a lick of honor.

---

[Collaboration with @Enkryption]

A Ghost in the Machine

Having followed Carroll into the building that she’d ducked inside of, Eula was quick to call out: ”I just wanted to apologize for…everything that both me and Revuel said. I really do appreciate you trying to assist me. …Your name is Carroll, right?”

"Last I checked," Carroll says.

”I am Eula 039. I’m sorry for not making a proper introduction sooner.”

"I felt we had a proper introduction," Carroll says.

”...I see.”

"I’m more curious what you are apologizing for," Carroll says, "Nothing happened. I’m simply making my talents known," she shrugged, "If they are unneeded, that’s that."

”It is still the case that I spurned freely offered goodwill. Oh, and, Revuel wanted me to apologize on his behalf as well.”
"I don’t need apologies," Carroll says. "Apologies do little for me at this point," she looked at Eula, "Was that all you came to do, then?"

”For the most part, yes. I was also curious about what a cursed sword of Wonderland is doing here as well…”

"Search me," Carroll shrugged. "Last I checked, I was clashing against my father, wielded by my mother, and then, I was here."

”...I wonder if you lost your memories in a similar way that I did. In my case, the one who found me said that I had a hole in the back of my head.”

"Who knows," Carroll says. "My head is made of slime, so a hole wouldn’t bother me in the slightest," she says, poking her right pointer against her forehead, and cleanly through, "See?"

”Fascinating,” Eula said, coming right up beside Carroll and poking the other side of her head.

…Now that Eula was close enough though…Carroll could feel some sort of “static” connecting the pseudo-arm that she’d created, tying back to something behind Eula. A faint image of sorts.

"Eh?"

Carroll narrowed her eyes, as the static filled her senses. She wasn’t like Eula, and her senses were unlike Human - or even Mamono - as she was effectively ecolocating the millions of vibrations that existed, and piecing it all together with how it hit her blade. Therefore...

...she shouldn’t have been seeing a goddamn bonafide GHOST, and yet here she was, seeing something that was casting no vibrations at all.

Eula would tilt her head, following Carroll’s eyes, but seeing nothing. ”Is something wrong?”

The phantom image behind Eula scarcely moved, looking at the automaton square in the face with the faintest of smiles on her thin lips. Eula was completely unaware of her presence, but the phantom took a look at Carroll, regarding her arm, then locking eyes with her. Her eyes were a pale red, with hair tied in a braid similar to Eula’s, minus her hair being more wiry and thin, and being a different color. A fair bit taller than the present automaton, her general attire and physique matched that of Eula, the futuristic past future of the Precursor automatons.

"There’s someone... behind you..." Carroll says, before following her gaze, and noticing her arm was transformed again. "What... I didn’t..." she tried to change it back, but it wasn’t going, "Are you doing this?"

She wasn’t asking Eula, but asking past her.

”It is simpler to communicate directly, is all,” the ghost spoke before Eula suddenly went limp standing, closing her eyes. ”I am Europa 09. What you have duplicated is a facsimile of parts with in-laid programming inherent to them. Thus, I am able to communicate with and interact with Eula’s systems via your central nervous system. Don’t worry. I will uproot myself from your mind after we speak. You won’t have to see or hear me again.”

"Oi, oi! You don’t get to make that choice, lady! My mind! You’ll stay right put until I say you go," Carroll says, "That aside... Europa 09... Eu... 09... I’m guessing, the La and 3 are sourced from your husband, then, " she surmises. "My Queen isn’t the sharpest blade on the rack. Her strength lies in her compassion, tenacity, and ability to really take a punch on the chin. For intelligence gathering, I exist. Thus, I’m quick to pick up on things."

Carroll would scratch her cheek, rather sheepishly, "Admittedly, this is a new experience for me. I don’t remember this happening with Terra’s mother. But, regardless, you claim that I’m able to sense your vibrations through this arm, yeah?"

Crossing her arms, the phantom of Europa would let out a soft chuckle. ”If you insist, then I shall stick around a while. But, the other half is that of Laguna 030, my soul mate. You may meet her someday if you keep recklessly duplicating parts,” Europa said. ”I am assuming Terra is another automaton you’ve encountered then? I could just peek at your memories, but…well, that would just be plain rude, wouldn’t it?”

"Terra is... was... I guess... my daughter... one of them... my last..." Carroll says. "In Wonderland, I wasn’t always tied to my current Alice. I was... someone’s daughter once... someone’s father once... twice... I guess, I was reckless," she chuckled, "I was probably the reason mother threw me on my ass, if I had to be honest. Even though she never showed me love, just rule. I suppose that’s why I rebelled so earnestly."

Carroll dragged her face with her false hand, "Why am I even bothering you with my bullshit life story? You wanted to tell me something. So, say your piece."

”Well, it would be very rude for me to just say something and poof after you’ve just given me your entire life story,” Europa said, leaning against a nearby wall. ”As for what I wanted to tell you…be careful with Eula’s parts. In spite of her having her other mother’s strength, she’s reckless. …Each part of her can’t be replaced as easily as one would think. After all…they did come from the two of us.”

"My replications are perfect, however," Carroll frowned, "I feel like I understand what you mean. That said, I can't make her act smartly and not break herself," she says, "Eventually, she will break completely, and then what?"

”Then, our last gift to her will let her keep going,” Europa said simply.

"I see," Carroll says, looking at her arm. "That leaves me in an odd position. How do I mend when that replaces sentimentality?"

”Simple, really. Only replace what can never be regained again,” Europa said.

"That’s so painfully cryptic," Carroll says.

”Aren’t all ghosts supposed to be?” Europa asked with a cheeky wink.

Carroll rolled her eyes, but chuckled, all the same. She wasn’t wrong.

Europa would close her eyes, her image growing a bit fainter. ”Looks like Eula’s waking up. Maybe we’ll talk again someday…though, do forgive Laguna if she’s a little…terse when you meet her. If at all.”

"I can be terse myself, if need be," Carroll says.

Europa’s mouth moved to say something but no sound came out as the static faded away.

"Another time, then," Carroll says, as her arm returned to normal.

Eula would awaken after a moment, rubbing her eyes. ”I…what was…”

"You just took a little nap. Probably worrying yourself so much," Carroll says.

”...Perhaps I need to recharge a while longer. That battle must have expended more energy than I thought.”

"Maybe," Carroll says. "I can probably help you recharge," she says, "If you like."

”I just need to rest a while but…I do appreciate the offer.”

"I see," Carroll says, noncommittally.

”...What did you have in mind, though?”

"Hm?" Carroll tilted her head, curious.

”Automatons recharge passively through an internal battery absorbing ambient mana from the atmosphere. I’m curious how you would be able to speed that process up.”

Carroll smirked, before transforming her left arm into Eula’s, "Figured, we can hold hands - double the speed."

Eula would reach out and clasp Carroll’s hand in both of her’s. ”I see. Wonderland science must be quite amazing if handholding doubles energy absorption.” Without even knowing it, Eula was committing the grandest social stigma of all Monstergirls! Handholding!

"I mean, if you think about it, if I replicated the functionalities of the “item” that is your “arm”, then I have gain the passive ability to absorb Mana and convert it into Electricity," Carroll says. "So, if I’m gaining power through your arm, and you are siphoning excess power from me, while gaining it naturally, theoretically, the conversion rate is multiplied. Maybe, not to double, but by zero-point-three for certain."

Carroll smirked, her hawkish, bored eyes lightning up, as she said, "And, one-point-three is zero-point-three more than one-point-zero, eh?"

Eula nodded, before continuing to hold Carroll’s hand, satisfied by her mathematical correctness. Though, as for whether Carroll would mind the feeling of a battery churning energy out inside of her…that was a tale for another time.

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

Vivian

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@AzureKnight(VRA)
...Well. Not that Vivian was interested, but that was rather rude. Were Shizuyamans under the impression all yokai were aggressive husband-napping bedwinners? ...Perhaps, that was true for other species, but she was certain that Glacies were probably the most capable of not losing to a man's charms right away. Her heart was literally frozen after all.

"Oh, not to worry, you're not my type either. You don't seem like you could keep up," Vivian said, before taking a seat on a nearby log, at least putting herself in a vulnerable enough position that Kazenosuke would guess that they weren't here to try and steal him away. Crossing one leg over the other, Vivian's left hand would rest upon her knee, the wood beneath her hissing just a bit as the water inside it froze. "Varã dear, badgering him about who he associates with is only going to make this harder. We've come to ask for your aid in defending...how did they pronounce it...Tearyouitchi temple? Your lord's son is beginning a little counterattack against the Varjans, and thought it might be wise to seek your blade to his cause."

Vivian would beckon for Varã to sit down on the log beside her, continuing to speak after a moment. "I imagine you have your reasons for not being at the beach, and won't pry into that matter. But I would like to know whether we walked out here to find a comrade, or a future enemy." Vivian, despite her sharp tongue, was doing her best to assuage any warrior's honor drivel that might come next, given that she didn't particularly care if Kazenosuke was busy taking care of his sick grandmother, or having a hangover when the battle happened.

Her job was just to see if he was willing to join their fight, not grade his attendance.

---

Matsuri

---

@Rezod92
"My faith comes from my gut, and my Father always said to trust it. And, thank you thank you thank you!" Matsuri said, eagerly following Lady Kyouko beside Zeka as they were taken to Kyouko's estate, then lead into a magical circle of some sort. Matsuri hadn't even considered keeping her ancestry secret, and as such would nod at Lady Kyouko's instructions. "Got it. I'm just a concerned fireworks maker from the mainland!" Matsuri said, straighting herself out, adjusting the strap that held her bamboo cannon against her back, and finally, give her tail a little fluff to make it a bit more presentable. She wouldn't back down from this, and was more than ready as white light enveloped the duo, depositing them in a wooden chamber.

Rubbing her eyes to get the blinding whiteness out of it, Matsuri's ears perked up as she heard Ayu speak. Once she could see, Matsuri would bow respectfully, saying: "Matsuri Okitsu, a pleasure to meet you. Oh, and you too, Ms. Zeka. Sorry. Didn't have a proper chance to introduce myself directly." With that short introduction out of the way, the inari would want to know where she could be of the most help. "I'm not the best at fighting, but I can cook, make fireworks, and I'm great with people. Oh and, I guess I have a fox's nose now," Matsuri listed her "best" traits to at least give Ayu an idea of what she could do, unaware that this was sort of a "pick your gig" kind of task force.

With an innocent gleam to her eyes, she would look at Ayu and ask: "Sooo, what should I do?"

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

---

[@Breakthrough Crew!]
After the party thankfully said that Io zombifying an entire fort was a bad idea and maybe even a bit of a "moral evil", or even a "violation of human rights and ethics", and the Shizuka brothers made friends with one another, it was time for them to execute the plan! Hiding within the sake shipment, Liliana was more than capable of simply hiding between the large containers, so even if the others were spotted, she could...do...something?

...She didn't really think the plan B part through all the way, and Ayu also didn't seem sure on where she should go so...Liliana figured she'd pipe up. "Miss Ayu, I think you should stay with Shizuka. If anything goes wrong, you might be able to send a message or something, and be our eyes on the outside. At least, that's what I think. I'm not the best planner, but we're all a lot tougher than a normal person. If you got hurt, Takeshi would be super sad." With her piece said though, the fairy would shrink down and sit beside the shipment, ready to get the ball rolling.

---

Eula

---

@Enkryption,@Rezod92
After her heart-to-generator with Kerry, Eula would join her in exiting the tent only to find the entire temple area had been reconstructed, with a bevy of beverages and tarts laid out in a whimsical fashion. Eula had never been to the Wonderlands, but she could recognize the spontaneous banquet was probably caused by the present Mad Hatter. Or at least, she had to assume she was that, given their fashionable foppish floppy hat. Smelling the freshly conjured tarts and hearing the discourse of the humans assuming the worst, Eula would take a seat at a table and politely lift one of the "dangerous" tarts to her lips, taking a bite before her malfunctioning eye sparked a bit, her functioning eye lighting up. "Analyzing composition...mm! Finely made flour, salt, lard, chilled butter, golden syrup, lemon zest, heavy cream, eggs, and...apricot jam," the automaton happily said.

After that one bite she couldn't help herself from devouring the rest of the tart in one bite, wiping her mouth with a nearby napkin. "Not an ounce of wonderland magic was used in this, beyond its creation. As such, I can judge this to be 100% safe for human consumption," she said, standing after Alice's speech. "Please, Sorae. If you can't trust her, then trust those yokai who stood in defense of this temple," Eula said, washing down the apricot tart with a cup of black tea, approaching Sorae and looking her in the eyes.

"I know nothing about this woman, but Wonderland magic would certainly disrupt my internal systems if I ingested enough to harm humans. Your people are strong, but I can see that they're afraid. Of what comes next. Of what the future holds. I can promise that as many as I can protect will survive, but...surviving isn't enough." Turning towards the conjured banquet, Eula would gesture towards it with her free, un-bound arm, the almost-formerly-detached one resting in a sling. "Foreign treats from a land they'll never see. A reprieve from the fighting and fear. A chance to know the world itself doesn't want this place to fall. ...That much, is what this woman is promising. So please...let them do more than survive," Eula said, and, having said her peace, would grab another tart and bite into it, smiling warmly.

"...This one has blackberry jam..." she said, perhaps happier looking than she'd ever been since coming here as she felt the sweet taste of fruits, and the golden crust of baked goods melt in her mouth. Alice and Kerry were off to the hot springs, and as such that would just leave Eula and Carroll, the former wondering when the latter intended to finish the crusts of her tarts.

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

Vivian

---

@AzureKnight(VRA)
It seemed Varã had some sort of personal space issue, and was insisting she didn't swing "that way". Pah. Vivian was mainly just taking her side to suck up her ambient hot air. Then came the time for those in the task force to take on jobs and make themselves useful. "I'll travel with Varã to meet this Kazenosuke. A blademaster's aid would at least be better than a gaggle of peasants," the glacies said, feeling that, Varã's pomp and huffing would mean she'd quickly meet her end if the blademaster turned his sword upon her.

The duo didn't have much trouble finding the hovel that Kazenosuke made his home, able to catch a bit of the conversation before the three soldiers left. Kazenosuke's services seemed to be in high demand, enough so that the iron warriors were even willing to declare neutrality against him. Interesting. Once they were cleared out and Kazenosuke was alone, Vivian would make their presence known. "Interesting. A swordsman without a cause. You didn't jump at the chance to slaughter for the Varjans, so I have to assume your services aren't something that can be bought with coin, or an appeal to a duty to your homeland. Otherwise, you would have already swayed one way or the other," Vivian said, slowly walking in a circle around Kazenosuke. "I don't suppose we could talk? That is, if you're not as vehemently against yokai as the Varjans."

---

Matsuri

---

@Rezod92
Matsuri had a feeling that Lady Kyouko might have reservations, but...she wasn't expecting her to play the Dad card! The Inari was flustered enough after Kyouko bowed her head to her, reflexively doing the same before getting ready to verbally defend her position. "M-My father is...w-well...he's somewhere. I'm not sure. I woke up as an Inari and he was gone but...I'm sure that he's fine. He spent a long time trying to find a cure for me, so I ran things while he was gone."

With at least an explanation offered, Matsuri would suddenly bow down as low as one could go, the traditional Zipangu dogeza. "My father's not here right now, and...because of that, I want to go defend his home in his stead. He told me a bit about it but...any place that he's called home is somewhere important to me, too!" Raising her head to look Kyoko in the eyes, Matsuri wouldn't break her posture once, ears basically flat against the top of her head. "So, while he's gone...I'll defend any place important to him. Our fireworks are safe, so...now all I have left to protect is Shizuyama. A-And I'm gonna, even if I have to get in a boat and row myself there."

Matsuri would consider one last thing to say, before finally adding: "And...I wanted to repay the help you gave him a long time ago. If he hadn't known then...that Inari that saved me might have never been able to help. Please Lady Kyouko, let me fight! Or even just cook and clean...those people need help, and even an amateur fox is better than nothing."

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

Matsuri

@Rezod92

It had taken a lot of time for Matsuri to work up her courage to arrive at Lady Kyouko's domicile on Akamagaseki Island. With a heartfelt goodbye to the workers of her family's business and a truckload of packed lunches, the masked Inari would quietly work her courage up, still unused to her own monsterhood. Her vulpine tail swished to and fro, and her ears kept swiveling to every new sound around her. A fellow prospective freedom fighter seemed to also have just arrived, a mouse-like yokai that would be addressed first. Zeka Willows was her name it seemed, and even she was having doubts about being able to help. Once Lady Kyouko's attention was on Matsuri, she would clear her throat.

Lowering her mask and moving it over her heart, Matsuri would introduce herself. "I'm...Matsuri Okitsu, Ma'am. A little while ago, my Papa- I-I mean my father came to you about a sickness I had. I'm all better now and I wanted to ask a favor of you." Matsuri would then remove her bamboo cannon from her back and lay the flat end on the ground, taking a deep breath and laying her hands interlaced atop the barrel before making her request. "Please, let me go to Shizuyama too! My father was born there, a-and I don't want to think about it being conquered by anyone," The fledgling Inari spoke, seeming determined to fight for her father's homeland.

Magus Reaver: Scions of Sorcery

Hector Wyland

@Polaris North, @PaulHaynek, @AzureKnight

---

Just when Hector was getting proud of his newly upgraded rifle, death was staring him in the face. Even so, he wouldn't abandon Einer, ready to pull out every trick he had to try and keep their attackers at bay until their fellow Magi could help them...that was the plan anyways, until he was decked squarely in the jaw, sending his brain reeling. Hector's vision blurred a bit as his brain rattled against his skull, his eye squeezing shut as his senses slowly caught up to the pummeling he was receiving. Blow after blow against his face, the distinct feeling, smell, and taste of copper letting him know he probably just got his nose broken. Not one to take it lying down, Hector was absolutely, most definitely, not defending himself in hindsight, about to sock him into next week before a burst of light and a flash of steel signaled a turning of the tides.

Imre had emerged adorned in an armored dress and swiftly cut down the man atop Hector, the marksman staring in awe as he sat up, blood flowing from his nose as he stared, mouth agape at his savior. Hector was already certain that Imre was quite the beautiful lady but..somehow, amidst her stunning victory and her shining armored dress, Hector could have sworn that he'd died then and there, and that an angel had arrived to take him. His heart was racing, and he couldn't take his eyes off of Imre as she spoke to Ruecian. So lost was he in his delusional infatuation that Hector would need to get spooked by Herne hissing to remember that he was still bleeding with a broken nose. Einer had been scooped up and everyone was getting into the carriage once more, and Hector wasted no time grabbing his rifle and scurrying after, with Herne crawling up his leg as he sat down.

In lieu of not having a mirror to help, Hector would have to instead rely on some basic first aid and his trusty snake companion.

"So...how bad is it, Herne?"

"*Hiss."

"...I assume that means it could be worse. Alright. Point your head in the direction I need to move it back to," Hector said, biting down on his wadded up shirt to keep from screaming, which...he likely would have, given the somewhat disgusting crack that his nose made. But, it was at least back to its usual angle, and the panting marksman would begin to mend the internal damage with his thaumaturgy. Sadly, he wasn't quite strong enough to mend bones yet, and the last thing he wanted was for his healing to start and bend his nose permanently. Plus...Hector already felt ashamed of having the person they were escorting swoop in to save him. He wouldn't bring himself to ask her to heal his injury for him.

Occasionally, he would steal glances at Imre and Einer, silently cursing his own lack of ability. He'd never had a hand for magic as a boy, so his father decided it was a waste of time for him to try. It wasn't until the disastrous end of Hector's fledgling military career that he'd even begin to learn magic, and...it was painfully clear, while his tricks worked well enough when he had the advantage, nothing he had was good enough to help Einer, or himself, and in all likelihood...he might not have been able to fight off his attacker had she not stepped in.

Hubris was a funny thing, that made you soar near the sun, then plummet rapidly when you remembered your wings were wax. Hector was certain the bandits would just go running once they saw his firepower, not thinking past each shot. That's why Einer got hurt...an enemy with a gun was best fought with a gun in turn. Hector wouldn't be damaged enough to need an infirmary, and as such would stay with Imre while Herne idly coiled around his arm. Finding the nerve to speak after his embarassing display, Hector would say: "...Thank you, Lady Imre, for coming to my rescue. ...I got careless. I'll have to re-evaluate my training once I return to the tower." The marksman seemed to consider what to say next carefully, deciding to make small talk. "If you don't mind me asking, do you know who those brigands were, Ruecian? They seemed rather...well-armed, and single-minded in going after the carriage. Normally, bandits would know when to cut their losses, but they fought to the last man."