Zool

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosLol technically correct, but I was really talking about new experiences for me xD

What I'm thinking is that we're on a really good pace storywise. Why lose that steam by spending the next few months having our party do easy contracts. Let's keep tension high and get the Source Comm message in less posts so the plot can advance before summer ends. We're only at the end of Chapter 1 I think.

That's my reasoning anyway, I'm happy to go with the majority. Either way, I'm having a great time here!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@xenonI'll go with number 3 - A gold Contract.

I'm voting OOC because MacKensie would probably not agree with me risking her life for the sake of XP and new experiences lol.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"That's impressive," Fenna remarked about MacKensie's show of magic, before falling silent for a moment. MacKensie's concious attention was completely on the other Ranger, so she didn't realise that when her foot was about fall onto a stone in her path, she automatically adjusted her step to avoid it. "I can't show you anything. I do feel something changed, but it's not something I can summon here and now."

"I see." MacKensie put a finger on her lips as she thought. She was glad that Fenna affirmed her beliefs about what happened. MacKensie trusted her judgement just as much as she had come to trust the judgement of the intelligent James or the sensible Adam, if not more so. And so she now dared to assume the conclusion that they were indeed more powerful than before, which meant in turn that she could be hopeful that if they ever came across that steel-armoured ninja again, they'd have a better chance. Not just at survival, but revenge. MacKensie warded off such dark thoughts with a smile at Fenna. "Well, hopefully you will not need to summon anything anymore. The Adventurer's Guild may have the answers we need to get you back to your family, and you can put all of this behind you. If not, we keep searching."

"...Don't you think we should be going after the witch queen? Or at least investigating why we are here?"

MacKensie only caught the end of Joji's questioning, but she sensed the impatience in his voice and so attempted to allay the concerns of her friend. "Remember, that commander from the town where we arrived? He said that we should begin our search for answers there." she reminded him. She still wasn't completely sure of her feelings on the matter of the war against The Witch Queen, so she avoided that subject.

The guildhouse was impressive. A sort of rustic architecture mixed with modern engineering. Grandiose yet homely. MacKensie followed everyone up the stairs, not without noticing the armed and armoured men and women dotted about the place. Her sharp eyes even caught sight of a few Source crystals. Adventurers. She could already feel herself compiling an endless list of questions, and it appeared that they would be happily answered by one Lucinda Bottrill - a gorgeous red-head with big green eyes and ears that gave her away as one of the odd non-human peoples that this world seemed to harbour.

Mac, that is the last time you will be describing anyone as 'one of the odd non-human peoples!' Even in your head, she scolded herself.

MacKensie let it be known that she was happy to have James as the leader. "You would make a fine leader, James." She would've agreed to near-any nomination other than herself, but James was certainly one of the most appropriate. He'd shown himself to be extremely smart, quick thinking under pressure, and pretty mature as far as men her age went. Certainly more mature than his imbecile counterpart.

"Zell's Angels. Vroom vroom."

"Kindly shut up," she cut him off sharply.

Joji's suggestion for team name was the best so far, (although the bar had been low up until that point,) 'Sky Heroes' did suit them quite well, after Hommas. This led MacKensie's thought process down a path that meandered through meaning and attachment, slowed by her desire to hear everything being said at the desk. Eventually her process ended with,

"How about..." she said aloud, without meaning to. After attracting attention, she had no choice but to continue. "Second Chance?" she offered. Unsure of herself, she tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear with a nervous motion. "To fight for this is noble, I think. For this to embody our goals, and for those who hear our name, to have hope."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

MacKensie made her exit from the infirmary wiping her eyes. She hadn't expected Lillianna's outpour but when MacKensie had tried to break away and her friend held on to cry on her shoulder, MacKensie couldn't help but cry a little herself. All she could do was whisper that; it was going to be okay, but the frenchwoman had a feeling (no, she was certain) that Lillianna's tears was not just because she almost died. It wasn't even just for Arthur and Clive. It was all the above, plus all she had lost in her last life. It was everything, all rolled into the fact that the quiet, shy white-haired young woman had needed a good hug and a good cry. Just like MacKensie had the day before. And the Ranger was glad she could give her that.

As they walked, MacKensie was in equal parts confused and amused at Zell's antics.

"TELEPORT!"

She had no idea Zell could do such a thing (if he actually could - seems as though he was failing pretty hard, at the moment,) but it was quite funny that the man, now they were out of mortal danger, had gone from being so impressive to her, back to being a blockhead. He was quite the character. She wondered about the second sword in his possession - the sword of the assassin. She had a feeling it was quite powerful, wether it be through magic or expert crafting, the black, curved sword had a certain shine to it.

"Joji, did you manage to find what you were looking for, from the Bazaar?" she asked as they entered the commercial district.

She wasn't sure how much of her share of the money was left, but she was also eager to at least do a bit of window-shopping, when time permitted. Shopping was one of MacKensie Trydant's favourite pasttimes. Even on the rare occassions when she had no money, much of her spare time with friends was devoted to looking around Paris' finest shopping malls. She wanted to speak to Fenna, but the Bazaar was so busy and loud that she simply stayed by the other Ranger's side and observed her surroundings until they were through the area and heading north for the Big Bridge. Once the road was quieter, she spoke her friend next to her.

"Fenna, did you feel that... back in the Mazy Hillocks, after the battle?" a cryptic question but she wasn't sure how to explain herself. She was hoping the older woman would understand as a Ranger who seemed quite in-touch with nature. "Like, ummm... the natural life energy of those creatures who died. Hanging in the air, then maybe being - absorbed? - by us?"

It sounded ridiculous. MacKensie wasn't even sure if she'd not remembered it wrong, as she was so angry at the time and focused on more pressing matters. But one thing she was certain of was that she could now do things that she wasn't aware of before.

"I think I am stronger than before," she let Fenna know. She held out her right hand, not to show off her manicured nails, but to present some evidence. By the strength of her will, she halfway triggered her new Deadly Flurry ability and subtle blue flames of Source danced up and down her fingers. "Magically."

She made a fist and the Source magic disappeared, then she waited on Fenna's reply.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Valhiem was busy and beautiful. It felt good to finally be in civilization again. MacKensie walked at Joji's side down the pavestone street that they had been directed down by the city guards, giving a horse and cart a wide berth as it went the opposite way to the southwestern gate from which they'd just come. The cart-driver gave them a polite nod as he passed and MacKensie returned the courtesy. The frenchwoman look around as she went, spying the big mountain in the backdrop that dominated the city. Even from here, the massive spikes and statues of the Citadel's architecture could be observed. This place was like something out of a fairytale.

"Joji," MacKensie alerted the swordsman next to her and pointed up at the roof of a large building. Her sharp eyes had spotted Fenna's falcon looking right back at them. This must have been the hospital. Joji said he'd come by later, so the Ranger nodded and bid him goodbye for now. The falcon had proved so intelligent since it joined their party that MacKensie figured it must recognize them, so she waved as she approached the hospital. It spread it's wings in reply, causing the Ranger to giggle - her first bit of joy since the battle. Brief and fleeting mirth, but much-needed.

Inside, she spoke to the receptionist and were shown to the waiting room where everyone was already gathered together, MacKensie just catching the end of what James was saying to Zell. She opened her mouth to say, Hello... H-, but when she saw Lillianna, her words caught in her throat. She was alive and perfectly well - finally some goodness in all this mess! Marching forward, her eyes alight with joy, she squeezed past everyone else and threw her arms around the white-haired wizard. "Lillianna, thank god you're okay."

Death comes in threes, she'd heard her grandmother say before. Not today. She let go of Lillianna, only to take the wizard's face in her hands, smile and then hug her again. "Don't scare us like that again, okay?"

After the moment was over, MacKensie stepped back, under her relief was the awkward feeling of realising she'd interrupted whatever the conversation was before she'd steam-rolled in. She provided the worst antidote to the situation by continuing to talk. "Apologies for my interruption, is everyone well?" she checked, looking around at the others. "And you?" she added, looking at Zell, giving him a nod when he confirmed.

She stepped back further out of the center of the room, to allow them to continue to talk, giving another smile as she looked at Lillianna. Nine had become seven. But they were together, safe and sound. MacKensie vowed to herself that she wouldn't let anyone else die. Not a promise she could keep, but one she would die trying to uphold.

She (more politely this time) waited for an opening to mention what the city guards had told her. "The Academy is on the large mountain in the center of the city. We must cross the Big Bridge in the northern quadrant to get there. Apparently there is an Adventurer Guildhouse in that area too."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Mine would! He appreciates the straighforwardness

@Teyao

I was just being ironic to mess with Saiyan lol.

Lillianna almost died, is missing her uncle, happy to see everyone and on the brink of tears... she obviously wouldn't hurt from a hug, in this moment. Dont worry, Mac has come to save the day from you emotionally-stunted little boys xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

<Snipped quote by Saiyan>

I read the part below and thought that she might not want a sudden hug, especially from someone she barely knew, that and how she wanted space when everyone was around her when she first arrived in Mytheria. I was actually considering having Adam hug Lillianna unprompted, but I thought it might be weird and a little creepy, and worried I was overdoing it in the post that I actually ended up going with.

<Snipped quote>

Of course I could be wrong! @Crusader Lord is the ultimate authority on their character so I defer to their eventual post on how she reacts to everything.

@Zapdos

Yeah @Saiyan, not all of us just have our character randomly headbutt people in the shoulder, NFL-tackle allies and hand out unrequested hugs!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I was making my new post but became distracted, take this shitty meme instead.

The anti-Ogre plan

I was working on another but my laptop died

@Teyao

Lmao that is an unholy abomination!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Second Chance.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

The Witch Queen's beseiging army were almost through the gates, ready to take the city when a horn sounded.

"Reinforcements are here!" came a shout from the watchtower. There was hope!

"Who has come?" the General on the walls shouted up to the watchtower.

"It's the Fenna and MacKensie didn't let us choose a good name so we are using this in reprisal party!"

"The Fenna and MacKensie didn't let us choose a good name so we are using this in reprisal party?" the General echoed. "Quinity be praised!"