January Event Log

[kaisoumods]

January Event Log
Dominant Element: Water
Waning Element: Fire

Full Moon: January 24th - January 26th

※

Did you enjoy the perfect winter during the holidays? Well now it's time to endure true winter. As we move into January, the Spirit vein in the sky will turn to hues of blue as the water element dominates once more. And with it, the weather turns bitterly cold, with temperatures rarely going above the single digits (in Fahrenheit) and often dipping well below zero. There are also regular snow falls that will do a lot to slow up traffic and just make life all around miserable. And don't forget the ice. There is ice everywhere, and salt does not work at these low temperatures. Suffer.

Winter Festival

♪- Buried in the Snow

The changing seasons bring with it a lot more snow. There are heavy flurries on the regular, creating vast snowdrifts around the city. It's pretty cold, so it's best to bundle up warm! There's plenty of winter activities around the city to keep yourself occupied with. Kami State Park has a pretty impressive ice palace to wander around. It even has a couple of ice hotel rooms and an ice bar for those who really want to commit to the bit. One of the rooms in the palace is hosting a Triple Triad tournament. It's a card game much like Magic the Gathering and as one would expect, there are a lot of hyper-competitive nerds ready to do battle against you. A few tables are set to one side with more helpful people willing to teach newbies how to play the game- and have less...intense rounds of the game. But perhaps your competitive nature will get the better of you - there is a prize of an impressive(??) Golden Cactaur trophy at stake, after all.

Blue Fish Park also has plenty of winter activities to check out. Blue Fish Lake still has ice skating on it, but a section has also been cordoned off for an ice fishing competition. There is a promise that any fish over 4 pounds brought to the judge's table will be rewarded with a pair of magical mittens which create snowballs in the user's hands. FUN! There's also a snowman-building competition for teams of up to four people if you want a more sedate wintery activity. The prize is a box of assorted hot chocolates. Finally, if you wish to do battle, a snowball fight can be found running on the regular. There are no prizes for winning this. Only honor.

The Kitsune who inhabit the park are, of course, trying to run their usual racket with all of this. They have fishing lures they promise will catch only the biggest of fish, and a "magic" shovel that shovels TWICE the level of snow with the same amount of effort! Get it now for the low, low price of your deepest darkest secret or your most precious item. The fishing lures do actually work for once, but the shovels are just basic-ass shovels. They literally bought them from Walmart. People saw them do it.

The Gold Saucer

♪- Gold Saucer

The Gold Saucer has been a presence in the Entertainment District since year one. This month, however, it is going all out, sending flyers out all over the city, inviting people to partake in everything the casino has to offer. You might even find a voucher for a free turn at one of the many games they have to play to entice you inside. The Casino is brightly lit, noises from games and attractions pulling you in every direction- all loudly demanding your attention. The same awful but earworm-y tune plays in speakers no matter where you go. You can't escape it. You will be humming it to yourself later.

There are all manner of games and rides to keep you entertained here. Perhaps you'd like to test your strength with an oversized mallet? Or shoot basketballs into a hoop before the timer runs out? Perhaps you would like to chop a fake tree with a (worrying real) axe? There are, of course, plenty of slot machines and claw machines too, as you would expect in any casino. All provide tickets for a myriad of prizes- though nothing seems to be all that useful. It's largely fancy hats and stuffed chocobos. A theatre is also found in the casino, with a fashion show held on daily for those who want to win a small cash prize for putting the best outfit together.

The main attraction in the Gold Saucer is the chocobo racing. You will find large, saddled birds in stables, waiting to be ridden. The jockeys are happy to give you riding lessons, and if you're good enough, you can join in with one of the races in the Gold Saucer's stadium- you'll get a pretty nice cash prize if you place high enough. Or perhaps you would rather watch from the stalls, making bets on your favorites. Either way, it's clear everyone in the casino is very into this- and they shall not hear a bad word said about their giant chicken mounts. Maybe you'll be swept up in this chocobo fever.

A Break from the Cold

♪- Besaid Island

Looking to get away from the winter cold? This might be a good time to take a vacation in a new stable realm that appeared on Kaisou beach. Through a gate made of rocks, you'll find the tropical resort realm of El Nido, which some long time users of the app might remember from the first summer. Enjoy a day or weekend in the sun in this tropical resort, or go on a dangerous pirate adventure. Hey, even being beaten up by a kraken beats a cold so tough it'll freeze your breath, right?

The Crystal Tower Appears

♪- Prelude

On the night of January 4th, the Spirit Vein in the sky will appear to be more active than usual, with the energy crackling and changing. And then, around midnight, there will be a large burst of light over Central Square- and a giant crystal tower will now appear in the once destroyed area of town. Those who come from Eorzea will recognize it immediately as the Crystal Tower.

It's not until the next morning that Zodiac will send out an alert.

ALERT: SPIRIT REALM ANAMOLY DETECTED IN CENTRAL SQUARE.
Element Classification: Unknown
Danger Level: Unknown
Designation: Crystal Tower
A strange tower has appeared in Central Square. Zodiac sent agents to investigate, but were unable to enter the tower as we lacked the proper "key". We cannot say what's within the tower, but we are detecting a number of dangerous lifesigns within. Please come to the Zodiac offices for follow-up.

The mood in the Zodiac office is definitely a lot less festive than last month. While Zodiac is used to dealing with gates and small things appearing in the city, nothing on the scale of the tower has shown up before. For many of them, it's an uncomfortable reminder of November and how close the city teeters into the Spirit Realm. If you ask what they know, they state that they know very little about the tower. What they can tell is that the tower only seems accessible by people of certain energy signatures. They estimate that perhaps the Libra app users will have the ability to get in there and check it out.

As usual, the Professor (fuzzy) is also there. But if you ask him what's going on, all he's got is a big shrug. Crystal towers appearing out of nowhere isn't usually a normal situation in history. He does warn you guys to be extra careful though, since he has a bad feeling about this.

Once you've made preparations, it's time to head towards Central Square. The tower now takes up most of the area where Orochi had appeared. It's huge and made entirely of luminescent crystals. At the front, is a massive golden gate. From appearances, it looks to be sealed. However, if an app user touches the door, it will respond to you and open up. It seems that it will only open up for people who are on the Libra app. Well, that's convenient. Here's hoping you guys can handle whatever lies in wait.

The Entrance

♪- Between Ordeals

As you enter the Crystal Tower, you find yourself in a great hall made of stone and the same shining blue crystal. It's clear that wherever this tower came from, it was a remarkable feat of engineering. There are two pathways. The first pathway leads down to the basement, which seems for now to be completely sealed off no matter what you try (it's probably fine and won't come up later). The second pathway, that is open, leads up the great tower. They'll need to head up this second pathway if they wish to clear out this tower and get to the bottom of it's appearance.

So onward you go, up a set of crystal stairs. It's not long before you encounter your first room and obstacle. This room is massive and cluttered, full of books and broken down computer-devices that look like the out of a fantasy novel than any electronic store. At the far end is a locked door, with only some strange spherical indentations on either side. Before it, on a pedestal, is a singular sphere that's glowing with magical energy. Looking around, you'll find other indentations that you can try to put the sphere into. Sometimes it'll cause no effect, and sometimes it'll cause lights to glow and hidden walls to open up, granting you another sphere. Other spheres may be hidden behind puzzles, and there is one hidden in an old computer monitor. Your job is to find all the sphere's possible and put them in the door, unlocking the door. The catch however? There spheres are enchanted so that only one can be carried at a time- even if you have multiple people. So unlocking everything in this ancient escape room will take awhile.

Once you're past the door, you'll enter a small corridor with the only thing inside, off to the side, is a person-sized crystal. Touching the crystal will heal any injuries you might have acquired and help you feel more rested. There is also some kind of magical sense of security when you touch the crystal. Like as long as you touch crystals like this, everything will be okay. Surely there is nothing worrying past this room.

Well no, turns out that's a lie. Once you leave the corridor with the crystal, you'll enter a big, open room with a draconic corpse in the center. Approach it, and the corpse will jerk to life as an undead dragon. Behind you, the door magically seals itself and traps you in the room with the dragon. You're left with no choice but to fight for your lives. Try to avoid the dragon's lashing tail and sharp, deadly claws, and make sure you stay out of range of its breath attack. If you're not careful, it'll paralyze you with fear.

Thankfully, this particular dragon is not especially difficult to handle if you manage to dodge its attacks. You could beat it up the old fashioned way, with swords and fists and elemental magic, or you could just cast a healing spell on it. A few of those and this dragon will fall without much fanfare. Once it's dead, the doors will open up and you can proceed.

However, should luck not go your way and you fall to the dragon? If you had touched the crystal, you'll find yourself waking up right next to the crystal with your injuries all healed. Glory to the save crystal.

The Room of Mirrors

♪- You're Not Alone

The path continues, leading you up what must be a thousand crystal stairs. Along the way, you'll run into a number of monsters. From pesky flying beasts with one eye, to floating fireballs that'll grow and size and denonate if not taken out fast enough, to... produce gone rouge? None of these are too difficult if you're skilled at combat, but be sure to protect those in your party that may need it. Remember, teamwork is how you'll get through this

.

When you reach the top of the stairwell, you'll be faced with another puzzle room. This time, instead of a clear door at the other end, there's a set of four full-length wall mirrors. Above each of the mirror is etched a giant roman numeral that marks each door: VI, VII, VIII, and IX. The way onward is through one of these mirrors. On upon examination, you'll find that two of the mirrors are just ordinary mirrors. One of the mirrors, the correct answer, will disappear and expose the door to the next room.

However, if you're unlucky and pick the last mirror? Your reflection will step out of the mirror, taking physical form. This mirror reflection of you will have all the abilities and strengths you have, but at the forefront of them? Are also all your weaknesses and flaws that you don't like about yourself. They will speak out thoughts that you rather keep unspoken, as they launch into an attack. Attempting to attack your own reflection? Will only increase the onslaught. Rather, you'll have to rely on your friends to beat back this foe. As I said, teamwork is key.

The answer of which is the real door will change every time a new group enters the room, so you can't tell others coming after you what the answer is. Though there are clues on the side wall of the room in the form of a mural which also changes. Depending on what the right door is, the mural will cycle between four paintings: magitek armors, seven meteorites, eight warriors wielding gunblades, and a girl summoning nine different monsters. Observe the mural and count the number of objects in the mural, and that'll show you which door to take each time.

Once you're past the hall of mirrors, you will find another corridor with a yet another lovely save crystal. You've been through the ringer so far, so it's best to take a quick rest and touch the crystal. Folks may be recognizing a pattern to this now, and may want to prepare for whatever fight lies ahead.

Sure enough, past the corridor is another large room with a monster inside. This time? It's a... a giant, walking cactus. Unlike the undead dragon before, this guy moves fast and is surprisingly agile despite its size. He'll easily dodge a lot of attacks, so you'll have to coordinate to make sure you get hits on him. Sometimes, he'll slow down but that's only to unleash his own barrage: 10,000 cactus needles that shoot towards a person from its head. Should get you get hit by the full brunt of the attack? Well, you best hope you touched that crystal in the previous room, because you'll be waking up next to it after being made a pin cushion.

When the giant Cactuar is finally defeated, it'll spin around and fall to the ground before disappearing into light. Now, it's time to move ahead to the next section of the tower.

Betrayal

♪- Boss Battle

As you enter the third stratum, you'll be faced with yet more stairs. These stairs, like the previous set of stairs, are crawling with monsters. On top of the monster types from earlier, there are now strange green lizard guys that are slowly coming up the stairs after you. They look fairly harmless--they just seem to be carrying kitchen knives--but don't let one catch you. If you do, they'll stab you and send you right back to the last save crystal. Survive this gauntlet, and the way will be clear to the next roadblock.

Or, maybe not a roadblock? By now you're pretty familiar with how this supposedly goes, but instead of a puzzle or anything awaiting you there is just a familiar corridor with another familiar save crystal. Should you approach it, eager to heal yourself after your latest ordeal... it'll turn red and spring to life- attacking you with strong magical attacks. This thing is no save crystal, but a crystalbug, and it is here to make your life hell. It'll dance around and cast spells at you, informing you that it's hungry for payment. Toss it of something of high value, such as a lot of money or a precious item, and the crystal bug will consume it before turning blue and becoming a regular save crystal.

Or, if you rather not give up your valuables, you could beat the shit out of it for this great act of betrayal. That works too.

Once you've recovered from the betrayal and healed up, you can progress onto the boss fight room. A giant behemoth stands before you, blocking the next set of stairs. Once you walk in that door seals behind you, it rears up on its hind legs with a roar, shaking the room and causing massive boulders to fall from the ceiling. Other than it's massive size and ferocity, this fight seems fairly straightforward as the behemoth stomps and gnashes as it tries to attack you. Fairly straightforward, that is, until it starts to draw in magical energy in the center of the room and shooting out magic attacks. Hopefully you didn't let it destroy all of those boulders, because you need to take cover and fast.

Defeat the king behemoth, and your way is clear.

Torn From the Heavens

♪- Liberi Fatali

Somehow, this tower is not yet done throwing stairs at you, though these have fewer monsters to fight on the way up. Still, it's a long, long trek up this last set of stairs to the top. There is one final save crystal. This one is a perfectly normal, trustworthy save crystal. Honest.

At the top is a throne of crystal and gold, and on it sits... not a king, but a bard. He sees you come in and with a flourish of his cape you are whisked off to... somewhere else. Once the dizziness from the bard's magic settles, you're able to see that you weren't actually transported anywhere. Instead the top of the tower's been changed from a throne to an auditorium filled with inactive mechanical dolls, and no sign of the bard.

Then, the spotlights come on and focus on you, and the dolls sitting in the chairs all start to clap and cheer and talk excitedly about how this performance was going to be the best yet, with so many wonderful actors. One doll comes over to shoo you out of the audience and over to backstage, handing out scripts and costumes as it goes. You need to put on an opera to appease the rambunctious dolls in the audience and fast.

The opera itself is a fairly classic tale. A love triangle, kidnapping, dragons, things blowing up--nothing too complicated to follow. You can even improvise as necessary! With a few exceptions. There are some scenes that the audience expects to be done a certain way. Mess it up, and they'll get rowdy and loud until they're reset and you're told to do the scene again, correctly this time. If you attempt to attack the dolls or refuse to perform, the performance will get reset all over again. Eventually, though, you'll reach curtain call and be free of this particular hell.

Once you finish your curtain calls, the platform will return to its previous appearance, bard and all. The bard stands, applauding, before introducing himself as Amon.

With bravado, he'll give a monologue:

"My, my, what a fantastic show you've put on… with a little encouragement, that is. It brings to mind a story.

"Once, in an ancient land forgotten by history, there was a great empire. Its emperor was a mighty god, mightier than death itself. But who could grant him such power? Who, indeed… The man named Amon, his most loyal servant, at first sought greater meaning in the world. He searched for meaning in his emperor's actions, in the pursuit of his own science and the limits of life and creation. And do you know what he found?

"Nothing. There is no meaning in life or death. This world is a hollow and pointless endeavor. It is only a cruel play, its actors drafted by the gods, so we might fail at their leisure. We are all destined for destruction—yes, even you, heroes! All will turn to ash and be nothing more than a ghost of a memory. At the end of the universe, our lives are but a dull, dying gasp.

"You may struggle against your fate. You may even kill me, a laughable clone of the man who walked in the shadow of the sun. But you cannot change what is to come."

And with that, the battle begins.

Amon is perhaps the most difficult fight you've had in this tower. While not hard to hit, he's sturdy and will take many really hard hits to take down. As you fight, he'll sometimes summon strange platforms before causing the tower to quake. If you get on the platforms, you won't fall down and can keep hitting him. Other times he'll turn people into frogs or giant snakes just to cause you more difficulties. Sometimes he'll do both! Have fun with that.

Sooner or later, though, you will defeat the clone of Amon. He lets out a weak sort of laugh before dissipating entirely. Those who were transformed by Amon will revert back to their original forms soon after, and all the mechanical dolls will cease to work. There's a calm stillness in the air. The tower is now finally safe.

Aftermath

After all of that, the tower is cleaned out and safe for anyone and everyone to explore. Unlike previous spirit realms, there's no indication that this place will go away at the end of the month. Rather, it's here to stay and still only accessible to Libra App Users. So, now comes into the question of what one could do with it. Now that the monsters have been cleared out, there's smaller side rooms that open up within the hall- perfect places one could convert into residential dwellings, if one so chooses. Not to mention, there's the fact that you now have an entire civilization's worth of technology and information you can study and experiment with. Studying the place will reveal the tower was one built to harvest energy. Perhaps if you could get that part activated once more... who knows, maybe it could be put into good use in the future.

There's a lot of options to consider, and a lot of work to be done. But still, at least you've made some good progress for now.

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is Water! Anyone with an affinity to the water element will find themselves boosted throughout the month. This could mean a boost to their power, having more energy, feeling more inspired with creativity, having better luck on different attempts -- the boost can manifest in all sorts of different ways. By contrast, anyone with an affinity for Fire will be experiencing the opposite. Perhaps their powers will be weaker, they have less energy, they're having a creative block or general worse luck - again it can manifest in all sorts of way and players are free to play with this mechanic as they'd like.

The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here. Another Zodiac Post will be going up January 15th to serve as an intro post for new characters and allow characters to react to developments over the network.

Comments

edward kenway | assassin's creed | ota

[jackdawvision]

[O - synchronize]

[The unfortunate thing about Crystal Towers is that they are often the tallest towers around in any given area. That makes them something of a beacon to certain sorts of daredevils who look at tall structures and see nothing less than an opportunity to jump right off of them, never mind the very high risk of splattering their brains out across the ground on impact.

To reduce that risk, Edward is currently pushing a haystack into place near the entrance. Every so often he stops, looks up at the tower, and seems to recalculate something in his head before he puts his shoulder to the haystack and pushes it again.]

...damn, I might need more haystacks around here. [A beat.] Eh, this is good enough for now.

[And he backs up and then runs at the wall, launching himself way up with a much higher jump than a normal human being should be able to achieve, and flicking his hand out. A shadowy tentacle whips out and wraps around the nearest handhold, and from there Edward just clambers up until he's got a good hold himself.]

Hah! [Looking down now and then waving a hello at whoever's watching him pull this shit.] Watch, I'll make it to one of those littler spires right there!

[Littler, he says. Like he's not pointing at a spire that's easily much taller than his own house.]

[should've brought a fuckin healing potion]

[Curiosity killed the cat, as they say. Edward, lying on the floor next to a save room crystal after a tonberry got him, is starting to see their point, because he'd come into this tower out of sheer curiosity.

It turns out that when you're a stealth game protagonist and you walk right into a JRPG boss fight you get got. Who fucking knew, right. Not Edward, who is now highly peeved that some cute little green lizard thing turned his own tactic on him and stealth-assassinated him. He's gonna find that little shit and kill him right back, see how he likes that.

He pushes himself up to a sitting position as someone else materializes right beside him, and dryly says,] So what got you this time, huh?

[i'll show you every version of yourself tonight]

[He picks the last mirror.

His hand presses against the reflective glass, and to his shock, his own reflection smiles, showing a dark and twisted grin as Edward steps back from the mirror. The reflection follows him, stepping out of the mirror, the glass rippling around his form as he slips into the real world, pulling two swords from his belt.]

Chasing down a dream again, Kenway? You'd think you'd have learned your lesson by now.

[Edward yanks his pistol free of his belt in response, and immediately pulls the trigger. But the mirror Edward is just as fast as he is, stepping to the side, and gives a hearty laugh.]

Seems like you haven't! Oh, what would Caroline say?

Shut your fucking gob about Caroline! [Edward roars this out before he pulls out his own swords, launching himself forward, his furious blow meeting with the mirror Edward's sword with the harsh ring of steel on steel. Every move he makes is matched by his doppelganger, every dirty trick he tries countered easily. And he's only human—it's obvious enough he won't last for long against this new, very personal enemy.

He's gonna need some help.]

Synchronize

[whiteshroud]

[It shouldn't be a surprise the crystal tower would attract the roof cryptids. This was like the Sistine Chapel of roofs to stand on, should any of them manage to get atop of it. So Shroud will be approaching, looking up at Edward from the ground. ]

Found a way to climb it then?

syncronize

[twofoldfury]

[Friends should tell friends when their ideas are bad, probably. But Diarmuid is not the kind of man to tell someone don't go for broke. Especially when he knows the person in question is a climber and has, as the children say, mad hops.]

I've little doubt you will! You've made an excellent start already, if there was anyone who could attempt this and succeed you can. [The way he means this with all his heart as if this isn't the second dumbest shit he's seen a friend do in the 21st century.]

i'll show you every version of yourself tonight

[bebest]

[Zulius was already pretty unhappy about the whole mirror thing, but when the mirror-Edward starts mouthing off about a subject he knows is dear to his friends heart, he lets out an annoyed sound.]

Oh, no you didn't!

[Zulius isn't a big fighter and honestly, Edward doesn't seem to be doing that well either. Zulius is hesitant to do anything drastic because his memories remind him that this might be the same as the Nowhere King and the General. Hurting one might hurt the other and he doesn't want the real Edward to get hurt.

So he's going to grab the real Edward, pulling him a little closer- and then activates Hot Goss. The mirror Edward is left frozen in place. He knows they can't do anything here, but this will at least give them some thinking time. ]

Okay, Babe. We gotta get this right- so SUPER important question, did you feel anything when you hit him? Because that's uh.... that's a thing in my past life so I gotta know before we like. Actually hurt him.

synchronize

[fionnuisce]

So did you learn to be an idiot, or do you come by it naturally?

[So said the highly sarcastic phoenix perched on a nearby chunk of crystal.]

Because on the scale of crazy things one can do, this is pretty high up there. No pun intended.

Syncronize

[end_singer]

Then I shall remain nearby, should you fall.

[It's not a statement Nito means to sound ominous (there are few things he does), but it certainly takes on a certain flavor when delivered by someone currently in the shape of what can generously be described as a large raven made of bone and shadow.]

takame kesi | ffxiv oc | ota

[hoshikiri]

i. a long fall

[Takame did not have G’raha Tia’s soul vessel in this world. The fact that he could place a hand upon the door to the Tower and it opened seamlessly worried him. Was the security of needing Allagan blood down? He put it in the back of his mind to file in his report later.

The first thing Takame checked knowing it was just as dangerous was the entrance to the lower levels. Whether this was the Source or the First’s Tower, he preferred to avoid anyone coming into contact with an Alexander simulacrum. However…]

It does not seem accessible…

[Another Warrior of Light would know what he meant. But not a separate curious soul.]

ii. tumbling down

Be ready and mind its tail. [Said moments after launching a Lightning Shot at the bone dragon. Takame remembered this thing. Though at the time he had only known the katana and his bare hands. Now several years wiser and more practiced with the Gunblade, he faced its attacks head on turned away from others who could not take the full degree of the monster’s attacks.

He took on the role of main tank for this encounter. And he would be damn sure to do his job right.

Still, his eyes were on the offense experts in range of it should the need come to provide them a shield. And he could use healer support too.]

iii. shattered

Be silent. [Takame started quick and furious after the clone of Amon began to speak. As if everything else wasn’t getting to him, seeing Amon, Fandaniel, Hermes, whoever he was. It struck something deep in Takame’s heart that made him lose all of his patience.]

You saw the answers you wished to see and did not bother to seek one strand of hope. Meteion suffered because of the mission your true self assigned to her. And we silenced her Song of Oblivion.

The only fate that is inevitable here is your demise, simulacrum of Amon. And even you fight against it. Your words mean nothing if you yourself are actively contradicting them.

If I am to struggle let it be so if it means I may light the way for my loved ones. Because then it will never be meaningless...!

[Add your own comments, agree or disagree, the encounter will begin not long after. And Takame will have your back every step.]

iv. now i know the truth

[[ this one's the wildcard option. come to takame in the aftermath of the tower being cleared or find him throughout the month with something else! lmk what you wanna hash out on plurk or disc @ bonpuns ]]

iv

[sunforging]

[When all was said and done with Amon, Scintilla sheathed her rapier and dropped to sit down next to Takame with a tired huff of breath and flick of an ear.]

We should put somethin' nice up here, if folks're gonna want to come in once it's cleared out n' cleaned up. Flowers, maybe.

[Having said that almost absentmindedly, she leaned back with hands planted on the cold crystal floor and looked out to the sky.]

...Felt bad for him, really. Maybe that ain't right, iunno one way or another. Just think it must've been hard t' feel broken long before y' were sundered.

ii

[illucesco]

[Sometime during the fight, the Engine Blade strikes into the ground not too far from Takame. A streak of bright blue energy resolves into Noctis's form, and he moves to put himself between Takame and the dragon for the moment as he tugs his bag forward and pulls out what looks like a modern-day first-aid kit.

Sorry, man, no curatives here.]

Scale of one to ten, how bad's the pain?

II

[aslowburn]

[Persephone takes full offence to the undead. You're either dead or you're not- to be both is an affront to her realm. So she's here to battle it, to put it back firmly into the dead category. Cerberus is with her, biting at the thing with all three of his heads. Persephone herself is tangling its legs with vines and coming in to stab at it with the various knives on her person.

She does pay attention to Takame, though, her eyes glowing yellow as more vines lash out to try and pin the tail to the ground. ]

Duly noted.

Noctis Lucis Caelum | Final Fantasy XV

[illucesco]

WINTER FESTIVAL

A. FISHING FANTASY: BLIZZAGA EDITION

[Honestly, even if the kitsune hadn’t told him that their lures could bring in the biggest fish around, Noctis would’ve bought lures from them anyway. He has a problem where he sees fishing lures and he immediately needs them, like, right now, in his hands. So of course he’d try to bargain for five at once with an appearance in his upcoming fishing game.

It’s not going great.]

All right, fine. No fishing game cameos. [He scratches at his beard, thinking.] If I tell you a deep, dark secret that I haven’t ever told anyone, not even my friends, do I get five lures? Eight if I throw in an ex’s photo?

[God, the kitsune are barely managing to contain themselves with delight. This guy is so fucking easy.

After that little shitshow, Noctis can be found at the ice fishing competition, snug in a puffer jacket and apparently having a pretty good time despite the fact that he almost certainly clocked he’d been scammed four or five tiny fish ago. All right, the sting of being scammed does hurt, but he’s just happy to have the lures, even if they don’t work as advertised.

Come closer, and he’ll shift his seat to let you sit down next to him.]

No backseat fishing. [That’s his only rule. Then he goes quiet, content to fish either in companionable silence or while carrying on a conversation with his new fishing buddy.]

B. △ WARP

[After the competition, Noctis goes home, tossing one of his new lures up and down in his hand. He didn’t win the prize, but honestly that’s fine, he had a good time overall. Next time he’ll just need to figure out which lure is the actual magical lure faster, he supposes.

It’s as he’s passing over a bridge, the ice having frozen the water over, that his foot catches on an errant plank. He rights himself quickly enough, but the lure tumbles out of his hand, and Noctis runs to the railing as it bounces onto the ice.]

Oh, shit, nonono—

[He stretches his hand out in a panic.

Blue energy starts to surround his form, and suddenly—

—he’s not on the bridge anymore. Instead he’s standing on the ice, clutching the lure close, and is blinking in shock as he gingerly, carefully turns around to look up at the bridge, then around himself.]

What the hell did I just do?

CRYSTAL TOWER

A. SAVE YOUR PROGRESS?

Oh, now I get it, [Noctis says, after he first goes down to the dragon and materializes next to the crystal in the previous room, first aid kit in one hand and weird new sword in the other.] This is a save room, and that’s a boss fight. I wondered what was up with these crystals.

[He still does, honestly, and seems a little wary of it despite the sense of safety and security being near it provides. He’s not sure why, but he feels like if he were to touch it for longer than a brief second—

He shivers. Then he sets up his first-aid kit for whoever else pops into existence next to the crystal, motioning them over so he can check on them.]

It probably healed you up the whole way, but let me check anyway.

B. BEHEMOTH FIGHT

[He’s a game developer. Two days ago his biggest concern was figuring out how to prevent the fisher prince from clipping through the boat when he reeled in the boss fish of the Vesperpool area. How the fuck had he, his first aid kit, and this strange new blade landed in this mess, fighting a giant fucking monster trying to kill them?

He hangs from the handle of the Engine Blade, having warped out of the way of a furious swipe just in time to dangle from a higher point than the rest. Breathe, Noct. Breathe. Okay, focus, what could hurt this thing?

An explosion rings in the back of his mind, a memory of a dream resurfacing from his subconscious. A ruin, a one-eyed monster a lot like this one, and—fire. Lots of fire.

Noctis’s jaw sets, and he throws the weapon again, and in a streak of blue energy, closes the distance to score a hit on the monster and—uh, bounce off it and hit the ground hard like someone who is not actually an acrobat. Ow, that fucking hurt.

He gets up anyway, and calls to whoever else is fighting this thing:] Try setting it on fire!

△ WARP

[droptheious]

[Varian had honestly thought the guy had tripped and fallen off the bridge. He races to the edge of the bridge, looking over it worriedly- expecting to find a hole in the ice and needing to do a quick rescue. ]

It's okay, I'm gonna get- oh.

[He's just. Standing. On the ice. ]

...Well. Uh. You definitely didn't fall?

[HELPFUL!!]

Fishing Fantasy

[loupmorque]

[ 'No Backseat Fishing'. That was certainly a sentence to offer a guy who just sat down. He can smell a scam a mile away--he's been watching for a while, now, and given his job back home it was easy as hell to see there was something being rigged here, but.

After that sentence, he wonders if he should just. Playfully watch and inform the guy he's been scammed later, or... ]

Hey, I get it. Nothing more un-fun than someone standing behind you and giving you tips you don't need, right?

[ playful it is, he decides. the wolfish man with long, pointed ears gives Noctis a grin, resting his chin in his palm. ]

You look like you've got skill anyway. From what I can see, anyway.

CRYSTAL TOWER - A

[standless]

[Imagine if you will, the sound of a squeaky toy-

...Right well actually that's not the sound Jonathan gives at all when he pops into existence, but he may as well at that size. He could easily fit in Noctis' hands.

Maybe even just one hand, for that matter.]

Oof-!

[Comes the wheezing shout. The bat's ear twitches though, and tries to roll over from his back so that he can make his way toward the other.] Oh- yes, one moment...

Goodness, that thing deals quite a blow though, doesn't it?

[Honestly it's probably more astounding that Jonathan can take any of those hits at all.]

Ardyn | Final Fantasy XV | ota

[scourgingstars]

[i; kainé]
[How did one cope with the looming upheaval of a very comfortable status quo balanced with the slow realization that the past as one understood it may not have been a full picture?]

[...Well, one didn't, if one was Ardyn. One simply ignored it and continued on as normal, because there were very few threats worth considering when one was immortal. Instead, he could be found around the chocobo stables in the Gold Saucer, looking...actually almost happy, by his standards.]

Aren't you just a lovely little thing. [Said while petting one particularly friendly bird like one would a very large and affectionate cat, of course.]

[ii; magna insomnia; cw: blood, body horror]

[The reflection flickered beneath Ardyn's hand, bursting into a deep shadow that seemed almost to turn glass into polished obsidian for a brief moment. From that did a figure step out, the darkness coalescing around the ragged edges of what had once been pristine white clothes of an ancient healer.]

Well, this just got a fair bit more complicated. Best be rid of this quickly-

How long...will you turn from this...? [The corrupted healer spoke in a voice that was more an animalistic snarl, moving as though merely existing was pure agonizing pain. A crimson stain spread from a wound in his stomach, mixed with a black ichor that matched what trailed from his eyes and mouth.] It is not...has never been...too late.

[The real Ardyn, in all black as usual and in sharp contrast to the half-feral creature before them, froze. Something very dark entered golden eyes, somehow far more monstrous than the black sclera and yellow stare of his mirrored self.]

You need not...be so afraid of what may-

[And that seemed to be quite enough, because the real Ardyn launched himself forward with a furious snarl and swiped with claws of shadow, the latter of which was matched easily by his corrupted twin.]

Be silent, you wretched thing-!

[iii; dancing mad]
This is terrible. A complete nightmare. Almost as overdone as that bard's outfit.

[Backstage out of sight of the mechanical dolls, Ardyn flipped through the script that had been quickly thrust into his hands with annoyed disapproval.]

Gods above, did I write this? [It was certainly dramatic enough, and strangely familiar besides.] ...No, surely not. Or I don't think that I did.

[iv; wildcard]

[whatever else, around the city and the tower all month!]

ii

[aslowburn]

[Persephone came to the tower spoiling for a fight, and so far it has not disappointed her. Cerberus follows her, huge and growling- and together they've made good progress through the tower.

She was not expecting someone's reflection to come to life. That's a new one. She casts Arydn a look as he launches himself at the damned thing. That he doesn't really seem to be getting anywhere. She could just move on, she knows. She doesn't know this man and has no requirement to help him.

...But she pauses anyway. Her eyes glow yellow as vines burst through the crystal tower- sharp throned and thick- they wrap around the mirror's legs, keeping him in place. ]

You seem to be having trouble.

iii

[illucesco]

[absently, without looking up from his own script and in the voice of someone who's Played Some Shit:] Could be worse. At least it's coherent.

ii!

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose has yet to meet Ardyn in person, but nothing that he's done or said so far has inspired confidence. There's something familiar about him, in the way that trudging through muck has exactly the feeling you'd expect.]

[But at the end of the day, she is a Warrior of Light, and she can't turn away from somebody in trouble. Sure, Ardyn might be absolutely cloaked in terrible vibes, but he hasn't actually done anything yet but be rude. And after being around in April, well--]

[Before she can think better of it, she flies into combat. Ardyn and his clone seem locked in melee, so she's going to provide the best support she can from the side. Here, have a regen, Ardyn.]

I think you might need a different plan!

Yuuki Shinomiya | Tokyo Xanadu | OTA + closed

[killerapp]

Torn from the Heavens

[Yuuki hates this. He hates this so fucking much. Sure, he grabbed his Soul Device and his Pokemon and his Pod (and his Normin) and headed into the Tower to help clear it out! There's tech in there! He wants to get first dibs!

He does not want to be forced to go on stage in the role of the hero-as-a-child. He does not want to be forced to sing in the role of the hero-as-a-child. But apparently this solo is one of the scenes that the dolls require be acted properly so here Yuuki is. Singing.

After the damn solo he can be found with his headphones on backstage with his head against the wall. Suffering. His little green Normin is on his shoulder, giving him a consoling pat and encouragement.]

Victory Tune

[After that disaster and the fight with the damn bard, Yuuki can be found in the depths of the Tower libraries, pulling out everything that looks even slightly useful and cataloging it. Most of it can't be read, but if they have notes they'll know what to focus on first.

At one point, he can be heard saying:]

Dammit, Pod, I know you can support my weight. Fly me up to that shelf!

[#ShortKing]

Sidequesting (Closed to Eunie)

Remind me why you're dragging me out here and not Josuke?

[He hates this.]

Wildcard

[Want other stuff? HMU!]

sidequesting!

[medicgunner]

'Cos I've been staying with you lot a while and I've barely seen you get out. And you'll feel good lending a hand to these guys anyway.

[EMBRACE YOUR JRPG CHARACTER AS EUNIE DOES, YUUKI.]

Winge all you want, I already told 'em you're coming along to help too.

Ritsuka Fujimaru | Fate/Grand Order | open!

[prunedworlds]

[I. Jockeying Around]

It should probably come as no surprise that, upon finally paying a visit to Gold Saucer, Ritsuka took an almost immediate interest in the giant racing birds. Sure, there's all the various games and such to try, but any old arcade has that kind of stuff. Whereas how often can you get a chance to ride--maybe even race--on an improbably large and fast bird?

Plus, this wouldn't even be her first time riding an... unusual mount by normal earth standards.

All of which is to say, Ritsuka's clearly having a blast, and might just be considering seeing how far she can go.

"Do you think I should give an actual race a try...?"


[II. Seaside Adventures]

Having a handy tropical resort to visit in the middle of winter certainly is convenient! And if you do, there's a chance that you might spot Ritsuka there in her spare time, as well. There's two things, however, that might stand out as a little odd (the now ever-present fox tail aside):

First, she's wearing some kind of large, dark-colored cloak over her swimsuit for some reason.

Second, after diving into a deeper section of water, she's... sure staying down there long. In fact, if you stand around watching long enough, minutes can easily pass with no sign of her returning to the surface anytime soon.

It's probably fine.


[III. Tower Climb]

As usual, Ritsuka can't resist something like a giant crystal tower suddenly showing up in town. Also as usual, while she lacks much direct fighting power of her own, she still comes prepared with her Mystic Code and any other gear and potions she's acquired or bought from Undertown to help out. So whether you'd like a tactician's support or just a basic quick healing spell, she'll readily contribute where she can.

"Don't forget to touch the crystal before you head into the next room!"

That, and be your friendly reminder to please save before the boss fight.


[Wildcard]

Have another idea? Feel free to PM me on my journal or discord (Altocumulus) or just hit me up with whatever!

Jockeying....

[youwouldntdownloada]

You know it's kind of neat to be able to go into a casino. Yasuho can't obviously. Go to the actual gambling zones, being 20 rather than 21, but she hardly minds that given the company she's with.

That aside, while they can't bet on the giant birds, they can sure watch them, and Yasuho's eagerly cheering and clapping along before Ritsuka's words pull her from her thoughts.

"Huh-!?" w-

wait-

"You mean...You want to try jockeying?" She's joke-y-ing, right??

Beredvyn of Nal (Meredith Nelson) | OC | open!

[thewarriorqueen]

[I. A day at the park]

Sometimes, you found yourself suddenly thrust into a world of magic, monsters, and other weirdness that you really never wanted any part of. And sometimes, this made you want to get out of the house and go try to do something normal and familiar for once.

Meredith most definitely felt that way, which is why she was drawn to the winter festivities at the park. She wasn't really interested in participating in the competitions, though someone roping her into it was not out of the question, and could mostly be found simply wandering around enjoying the sites. Maybe get a cup of hot cider to keep herself warm as she walks, either quietly spectating the competitions or looking over the design of the ice palace with an uncharacteristically critical eye.


[II. Gearing up]

All that desire for normalcy aside, however, the appearance of an entire, gigantic crystal tower in the city did, admittedly, merit some attention. Especially if what she'd heard about what really happened back before she'd found the app on her phone last November was accurate. So, like it or not, Meredith was showing up at the tower, prepared to help however she can.

She was however, at least smart enough to come prepared, and luckily for her she wasn't entirely without options. She had a nice, sturdy, entirely functional sword that she did, in fact, know decently how to use to start with, as well as heavy padded tunic, gorget and mesh-front helmet, and reinforced gauntlets to have at least some protection from whatever might lie in wait.

Which was to say that yes, Meredith brought out her HEMA gear that frankly looked more like it belonged in some kind of full-contact fencing tournament than fighting monsters, but look. A little protection is better than none, right?

Surely it would be fine...


[III. The inevitable outcome...]

It probably went without saying that, geared or not, knowing how to fight or not, a more or less ordinary human was pretty well out of her league with some of the stuff the tower had to throw at her. Oh, Meredith could probably take on a few of the lesser monsters, especially if with a group, but sooner or later something would catch her off-guard or otherwise overpower her, and it'd be back to waking up at the last crystal.

"Ugh... Seriously?"

For really though, thank goodness for save points.


[IV. Level up]

That said, clearing a full raid tower of an infestation of monsters took time. And, oddly enough, things seemed to be getting easier the more Meredith fought. Maybe she was getting used to it... or maybe it was the fact that, thanks to the spiritual energy of Kaisou (and a quick side trip to the goodwill for supplies) she really had suddenly gotten stronger. Rather significantly so, at that!

Granted, there was something just plain weird about it, and her gear might still leave something to be desired, but those were problems to think about later. Doing something about the tower was the clear priority, and as Meredith began to realize her newfound power, she was quick to both utilize it and offer to help others.

"Need a hand over there?"


[Wildcard]

Have another idea? Feel free to PM me on my journal or discord (Altocumulus) or just hit me up with whatever!

III

[illucesco]

The first person to greet her is a man—thirty years old, average height, wearing a leather jacket that would be cooler if underneath wasn’t a shirt with the words Fishing Is A Tough Job—But I Can Tackle It! written across the front in cheery cursive. Alas.

“Sorry,” Noctis says, apologetic, and pulls his shoulder bag around to his front so he can pull out his trusty first aid kit. “You all right?”

Elliot Craig | Trails of Cold Steel | OTA

[fiddlestick]

I. Triple Triad
[Elliot wasn't a big fan of the cold that the Winter Festival celebrated, but he was a fan of card games. So on his day off, he'll show up to the card tournament. He's been playing a few rounds, and while he insists he's just a casual that's just there to have fun, he... sure is winning a lot more games than he's losing.

If he spots a familiar person, he'll give them a wave inbetween games]

Hey! I didn't know you played too.

II. Gold Saucer
[Another thing Elliot was a fan of? The casino. He's never actually spent much time in the Gold Saucer, so he's currently wandering the halls trying to figure out what to try out with his voucher. The slot machines? The arcade games? The chocobos? Honestly, all of it seems pretty appealing.

One thing that's less appealing though...he finds himself humming the song before sighing]

Welp, this tune is gonna be lodged in my head forever. It's Pachelbel's Canon all over again.

[The woes of being too musically inclined]

III. The Crystal Tower
[Elliot is at the bottom of the tower, still outside, staring up at it. He's got his staff with him as well as his ARCUS. But...one question is preying on his mind enough to make him pause]

Um... you don't suppose this thing has a elevator, do you?

[Exercise: his true nemesis.]

IV. Wildcard
[Got a prompt for me? Hit me up! ]

III

[crystallinememories]

"Unfortunately, no," Raha says, with the sigh of someone all too familiar with the amount of stairs the Tower has, "Which... is odd, come to think of it, as Allag did have lifts in some of their buildings." You'd think this place could use them more than most.

Vash the Stampede - Trigun Maximum - OTA

[doubledollar]

1.__ // Natural Born Racer -_ : OTA

[ Rest and Relaxation after coming back to Kaisou meant going to a casino, right? He's read about casinos before. Maybe he'd even played a bit of gambling back on No Man's Land--usually involving cards or poker chips--but nothing like this. It was fanstastic, and Vash could, honestly--use the distraction.

What he didn't realise that the best of the place wasn't in its axe-wielding or hammer-throwing games, but in fact, a sort of Race involving a particular yellow bird that looked an awful lot like a certain bird he's been riding back home for hundreds of years--and even one he still rode in Kaisou today.

Which is going to be the cause of Vash starting a winner's streak in the Chocobo Racing portion of the event--much to some of the better's disgust or profit, if they were clever enough to bet on him during his first and most underdog round.

But now he's become THAT GUY who won't stop winning--

Which is why you might find him getting pestered by some people just trying to win a few bucks here--stay out of a few races would you--or are trying to bribe him to throw a race.

Help?! Maybe kidnapping him off to a different part of the gold saucer is a good idea...

...Unless you want to try to beat him in a race? ]

2.__ // I Am The Shadow -- One's True Self -_ : OTA

[ It's a bit of a conundrum. Vash had, of course, chose wrong in the hall of mirrors. His luck wasn't the best, and his ability with magic? Even lower. But as he stands face-to-face with a yellow-eyed version of himself, both of the (currently black-haired) versions of Vash the Stampede stand, face to face--at an impasse.

Even while the mirror-creature--wearing an expression Vash never would, a simpering, sarcastic grin--starts to speak; not once does Vash reach for his gun, to silence it. ]

Your staunch 'Defense' of Humanity is no act of 'Love.' [ it speaks with a voice that is dead-on to Vash's own--but with an odd tone that's... Wrong. Self-righteous in a way that isn't at all like Vash. ] It's an attempt to make up for the crash that you caused. All those years ago. [ as the creature speaks--its body begins to split and erupt with numerous pale white feathers. ] No matter how much 'Good' you do to atone--they'll never forgive you. [ until eventually, it takes a shape of a creature that may be recognised by some--it's voice now completely unnatural--reverbing in his ears in a voice that is still his own, and yet--monsterous. ]

No matter how much you fool yourself. In their eyes--you'll always be a monster.

[ and that's when the monster attacks. And Vash? Makes no motion, yet, to avoid as one of those sharp, wing-like appendages take a swing directly at him. ]

3.__ // Wildcard -_ : OTA

[ any ideas? want to do a thread somewhere else? need help with a fight? hit me up we can do whatever you want. ]

[one] will probably also lob him at two later but let's do something lighthearted

[asipofbride]

[ it's really something to see Vash in his element.

Wolfwood's sitting pretty on a pile of winnings; he'd been one of those early adopters for Vash out of a sense of affectionate loyalty, and betting on the Stampede in a game of wild chance always paid out. sometimes explosively. luckily, any explosions were concentrated on the racetrack, so honestly, Wolfwood's just having a good time getting richer by the second, showing Vash the tidy killing he's making between rounds, maybe give him a lil' peck on the temple for being good at birds.

which is probably why a couple of other jockeys come up to Wolfwood with a pooled together bounty and an earnest plea to make Vash sit a couple of rounds out, please, for the love of fuck, and Wolfwood... won't promise anything, but. why not double up when you had the chance? the Punisher's not a gambler, but he knows an opportunity when he sees one, so he'll take their money and give it his best shot, waiting for the next time Vash comes around. ]

Heya, Spikes. You're causin' trouble again.

[ playful and to the point; he's great at lying but there's no stakes in it here, and Wolfwood's got no loyalty to a bunch of guys with a case of skill issue. ... might be fun to go check out some of the other stuff though, maybe get another one of the very fruity little drinks that Wolfwood's been nursing. ]

G'raha Tia | Final Fantasy XIV | OTA

[crystallinememories]

[legacy of allag]

Raha honestly, genuinely, never thought he'd be here again; at the base of the Crystal Tower, staring up at the glimmering spires. He's not sure what he's feeling, exactly. Anxiety? Nostalgia? Anticipation, excitement for a new adventure?

That question is pushed aside for the moment, however, when someone else touches the gate and it opens, clearly startling the young man. "It-- it opened for you?" he says more than asks, clearly baffled, "That's... not a good sign..."

It seems one of the 'security' measures might have been lost, after all.

[labyrinth of the ancients]

The lower level is closed, and even Raha doesn't seem to be able to open it. That's... good, at least. One less problem to worry about. (For now, a treacherous part of his mind reminds him.)

There is plenty to focus on in the here and now, though. The puzzles are new, but a refreshing break between the fighting. Though, speaking of the fighting... "The makeup of creatures in here is different from before," he muses as they walk up entirely too many stairs, "I wonder why? Is it not just copied...?"

[the light of hope]

After the many, many stairs and battles are over, the task remains of making sure the Tower can't be activated by the ill-intentioned. Which means Raha is in the control room, hand held up to the computer to manipulate it.

"Thankfully, it does seem to lack any of the mechanisms for world or time travel," he explains to whomever is there with him, "But we might still be able to use it. Do you, ah, think setting a password would work?"

Seriously not needing his bloodline is kind of throwing him a bit.

[for prosperity]

[want raha for anything else? go for it!]

Light of Hope.....

[youwouldntdownloada]

How's Yasuho been doing in this tower?

Uh.

It's been going.

Honestly if it wasn't for the fact that most of these fights happened as a group, she'd have long given up and gone home. As it is, still dressed in her magical girl outfit, sword still hanging off her side, she finally feels like she's somewhere in her element.

Technology.

For all that. Er. This isn't normal technology at least. She's been trying to listen and learn though, which means that as Raha's talked, she's done her best to follow!

...

Hm.

"Is there a way to do that..? Setting a password I mean?" It. Sounds like it should work? It sounds like it.

She isn't sure it would work.

(At least he's definitely not likely to point out the tiny velveted antler nubs she has. She's pretty self-conscious about those now that they're...There. On her head. Yeeks.)

Ruby Gloom | Ruby Gloom | OTA

[bbbrightside]

[A: Winter Festival; honor and glory]
[There's never enough winter fun to go around, and Ruby wants to get in on all of it. Problem is, she started out participating in the snowman building contest, but somewhere down the line got roped into the on-again off-again snowball war the locals have stirred up. What's a girl to do?

Join in the fun, of course.

But this is a warzone, then. Accidents happen; say, like a errant snowball sailing past, possibly a little too close for comfort for your character.]

Oops! [Red hair in a touque pops up over a nearby ridge.] Sorry! Unless you're part of the fight, I guess, heh.

[B: The Entrance; Dragon on]
[But eventually the sight of that crystal tower is too interesting to ignore, you know?

It's long sloping walls, crystalline interior, and altogether mystery are just enchanting to the young girl (who managed to slip inside, past anyone who might have turned her away). If she could make her way through the center of the Earth, she could surely handle a tower adventure.

Is about what she thinks, before realizing that these lowest floors are... awfully empty. Maybe further up-]

Hey! [There's someone! Just about to pass into what looks to be a large chamber. If she's just fast enough...] Wait up! Hold the door!

[She can slide in just as it shuts behind her - and locks, it would seem. How odd?]

Thanks. I--

[Oh. That's a dragon. A dead dragon. A dead dragon that's rising to its feet and staring her, and her unfortunate buddy, down with those decaying, red eyes. My, what sharp teeth it has.]

...W-well, maybe it's friendlier than it looks?

[C: Betrayal; looper]
[Ruby flickers into being on the floor of the third stratum, and she decides to just stay there for a little while.

It's been touch-and-go for a while, considering she's a kid and she's not much for violence. Somewhere along the way she picked up a shield and a shortsword - or just a sword to her. They proved less effective against the little green fellows with the knives, especially when Ruby kept trying to make nice with them.

Finally, she sits up, letting out a built-up sigh.]

Alright, maybe I'm not cut out for this kind of adventure.

c

[jackdawvision]

[Edward pops in just a second later, looking much better and also significantly more pissed off.]

Those bloody green bastards, [he starts, furious,] when I get my hands on that last one who did me in I'll cut his bowels out first and make 'em into a noose—

[And then he turns and sees Ruby lying on the floor, and goes very pale at the sight of her. Oh shit. He should not have said that.]

...are you all right, lass?