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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 3, 2018 15:30:03 GMT -5
Mel thanked Jen as she treated her, returning back to a healthy state. Neku, on the other hand, simply kept dueling against Ayano, unwilling to lose. Ayano, on her end, refused to leave without any intel to bring back with. Both sides, unwilling to back off, were basically not leting the other take their way.
The crowd gathering around the two didn't know who to cheer for. Even worse, they didn't know if that was a fight they should be cheering for. A Hearthunter's Stalker against a Trainée wasn't exactly well-looked upon, especially considering who the Headhunter was.
"So... You won't be giving up?" Ayano asked Neku, seeing a time to catch her breath, "It says a lot, you know? That you'll do whatever it takes just to make sure she's safe." "Well, ain't you a smart one..." Neku mocked back, "You're right, though. I won't let up. Not before you give up, first." "You wish I did."
---
The girl looked at the fight, amused, and noticed that Lucia was now focused on something, meaning she had a chance to trap either Jen or Lucia inside an Illusion. She dropped back to the ground, without no one noticing her, for she wasn't in the immediate reality the others were. Calmly, she walked towards Jen, smirking, and touched her shoulder.
"Over here~!" she said, playful, "...Don't you want to go back home? With your family?" she asked, sly.
Once Jen noticed her, it'd be all over -one obstacle would be taken down.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 3, 2018 16:44:59 GMT -5
Jennifer nodded in response to Mel's thanks before turning to keep watch over Lucia, occasionally glancing back at the fight. She hadn't summoned her armor yet, nor were her weapons activated. That changed the instant someone touched her shoulder.
Instantly her true armor appeared, a set of ornate silver plate armor with chainmail joints and angelic accents, complete with a full helm that covered her face entirely other than her eyes. The only thing missing were the gauntlets, a gap quickly fixed by the activation of her Aura Celica as she stared at the silver haired woman before her. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
Just then Lucia opened her eyes and stood at the same time that a Corridor of Darkness appeared. Out of that Corridor ran Jason, already in a custom set of black chainmail under a matching hooded long coat, and black plate with crimson accents covering his chest, shoulders, forearms, legs, and his face. "Conrí ought to be following soon enough."
Lucai nodded and summoned her own set of full plate along with Requiem's Resolve. "Good. Let's get started then."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 3, 2018 17:09:28 GMT -5
Fenrir popped out of the portal and seemed to nod at the armored trio. For once, he kind of wished he'd learned the human tongue. He shook his head slightly, sniffed at the air and looked around. He instinctively side stepped when Conrí came rushing out of the portal with Lugus raised. Fen, is it a-- The immense pressure caught him off guard for a second, and, he could swear he saw someone who looked like Tori for a second without needing to focus on the other realm.
Does that answer your question? Be careful. She feels twisted. Conrí nodded, and, his head started to hurt. He closed his eyes, and some of the pressure went away. Hell of a time for a migraine... He held his hand over his eyes, and tried to cope with the pressure. He barely noticed that everyone else had suited up properly.
I have a suggestion. Allow me to be your eyes for this. I can instruct you to where she is, since the pressure is clearly having an adverse effect on you. Conrí nodded, and ripped part of Jason's shirt off and fashioned a blindfold out of it. "Sorry, Jason. There's too much pressure here. Me achin' head. Fen's gonna be my eyes for now." He brandished Lugus and Claiomh Solais, waiting for the wolf's instructions.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 3, 2018 18:42:18 GMT -5
The silver-haired girl chuckled at Jen's defensiveness, and even mocked her armor a bit with a sly grin. She stepped back a bit, yet knowing Jen had her full attention.
"Ufufu... She fell for it..." she muttered to herself, and then answered her questions aloud, "It's no fun to tell you my name, honestly. But... I already got what I want~" she chuckled, "And that's getting you lot out of the way. Just trapping you inside an Illusion is enough -your heart is already easy to trick. Someone so weak at heart, despite that strong and cheerful facade of yours... Does it have to do with the fact that you'll always be behind your sister?" she taunted, amused. She then laughed, "My... How much I'll enjoy these memories of yours..."
---
The fight between Ayano and Neku soon drew an end, as Ayano was called back to HQ. Neku was unwilling to let go, but Ayano simply made her way out of the group, towards directions unknown. He winced, exhausted, since the battle mostly consisted on him parrying or dodging her telekinetic dagger. He glanced over at the group, two of them dressed in armor, and Conrí with a blindfold.
"...So, you two finally returned?" he asked, saving his sword in its sheath, "Well, good to see you're doing fine. ...Oh, and, uh..." he looked away, somewhat embarrassed, "Sorry about the comment I made 'bout you two... Should've thought before speaking... So, it's my bad."
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Post by Ziya on Sept 3, 2018 20:36:55 GMT -5
Jen just looked at the woman in confusion, then laughed once she realized what she was doing. "Really, that's[i/] your big plan? I'm not jealous of Lucia. Hell, I outrank her! You're gonna have to try a bit harder than that~" She wasn't sure if any of the others could see the woman, but if that was her best then it wouldn't matter.
Meanwhile Lucia and Jason were also looking in confusion at Conrí, who had decided to create a makeshift blindfold out of what was clearly Jason's shirt. "Lilulf, if you want to tear my clothes up there are better times and places."
Lucia glanced between the two of them three times just to be sure before pointing out the obvious. "I guess you figured things out then. Conrí," she walked closer as she addressed him in a serious tone, "I'm going to give you your first lesson as my Apprentice now. Picture a flame in your mind, feeding on thoughts, feelings, sensations, memories, let it grow as it feeds and feed it everything that comes into your mind. once it has consumed everything allow it to consume itself, and float in the Void. All that exists is you and the Void, and you are one with it. This is how you must fight beings like this without being overwhelmed."
As she was instructing him on the Flame and the Void, Jason heard Neku's apology and walked over to him. "Don't worry about it. I was planning on leaving the instant Jen saw that little exchange, and it worked out for the better anyhow. Here," he pulled out a Hi-Potion and tossed it to him casually, "You look a bit beat up."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 4, 2018 2:00:44 GMT -5
Conrí turned when Jason spoke to "face" him, clearly blushing. Really? That's how you intend to get this out in the open? He sighed, and the quip came out, even though the wolf boy didn't mean to be having a battle of wits in the middle of this situation, "You'd like the claw marks too much, a stór. Anyway, we had a movie planned, that we really want to get back to."
He smelled Lucia, and turned when she came near. "Oh. That's similar to...right." Fen, do you think that'll work? Also, if the others are having trouble finding that peasant...
Got it. She's currently near Jen. Tell your mate to look for me and attack around there. Do what your Master says.
How will we keep in touch, though? I never got that far into this.
Don't worry. Just do.
Conrí finally nodded and sighed out a breath. The would be king turned again toward Jason's scent. "Remember the sim. Don't hurt Fen, but, you're going to want to aim near him. If you screw up, you'll have hell to pay." He turned to Lucia, inhaling, and feeling the flame start to take form. "Before I 'go' Master, thanks, and, Fen wants you to focus on where he is, if you can't see her. He's a Spirit, so, he can sense her." He exhaled, feeling the void start to take over. The wolf boy knew that he needed only focus on the flame, but, that also meant keeping his simmering anger in check. As a final defiant act, he took his blindfold off and pointed Lugus over Jen's shoulder. "Let's do this, peasant. Not you, Jen." The would be king say the flame in his mind flicker brighter, but also buckle, so, he took another breath and felt the pressure lift when the flame stilled.
He looked at Fen, and also pulled out Claiomh Solais, though his movements felt slow, and things looked a little foggy. Conrí really wanted to rush at this enemy, but, knew he needed to hold back. Besides, the rage felt dulled in this state, so, he waited.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 4, 2018 5:12:20 GMT -5
The girl smirked at Jen's reply. Although it wasn't what she expected, she still wasn't going to let go. She sighed, amused, since she'd yet to realize the trap, but it was for the better that she didn't.
"Ahh... Is that so?" she asked back, smirking, "Then, why are you with her, if you outrank her? Wouldn't it be best to take separate paths and grow even stronger? Or... Is it that you can't? Or maybe even better -you won't. You don't want to be away from her, now, do you?" she chuckled a bit.
She glared at her, and turned her back towards her, yet didn't leave. She waited for her to notice in what kind of sittuation she was, just to mock her even further.
---
Neku caught the Hi-Potion Jason tossed his way, and, after a nod of thanks, drank it whole. He then looked at Conrí with confusion, since he wasn't sure on what the wolf-boy was trying to do to begin with.
"What's he doing?" he asked aloud, "What exactly is he so angry about? The fight's over, anyways, so why bother? Ayano's not coming back in a long time. Besides, I did suggest to show you around, right?"
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Post by Ziya on Sept 4, 2018 14:20:44 GMT -5
A small smile played out under Jennifer's helmet as a theory came to her. "I think I see what your doing now. Either you're bating me into attacking, or you just want me to stay here. So I'm just gonna go then. Bye!" With a little wave she turned her back to the woman's back and walked back to her sister, growing excited when she saw Jason and Conrí too. "Hey! Sooo~ how'd yo-"
Jason cut her off with a raised hand. "It went well, and it's also off-limits." Jennifer pouted, just barely visible, but she nodded reluctantly. Satisfied, Jason looked over at Conrí, a hidden smile in his voice. "See? I told you it would work."
Meanwhile Lucia had noticed the woman at last, thanks to Conrí and Fenrir. While keeping an eye on her she spoke to her sister. "Any idea what she wants?" Jennifer sighed and glanced behind her again before answering. "My best guess is a trap or stalling, otherwise she'd have attacked us by now. We should probably just ignore her unless she actually does something directly."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 4, 2018 14:37:00 GMT -5
Conrí realised the void was becoming a bit more comfortable, and was also relieved when Lucia was also looking at where the woman should be. He cocked his head slightly, confused as to why Jen suddenly turned away and addressed Jason. Her sing song voice, and, the wolf boy's near-panic at the situation nearly made him blow out the flame, though. No wonder the druids never taught me so much about this technique this quickly. It's a bit draining to maintain. When the flame nearly dissipated, he heard Jason's voice rather clearly. The would be king just nodded at Jason.
He listened to Jen, and his brain quickly wondered why she would be stalling. For a fraction of a second, he remembered the face he had seen earlier. Tori. She looked a lot like Tori, so...could they be connected? "Uh...guys, she looks a lot like Tori, and if she is stalling, I'd be more concerned about Tori. It might also be possible, if my hunch is right, that she can screw with memories."
Conrí shook his head slightly, and looked at Neku. He walked over to him and whispered in his ear, "If you had a date with Mei, and it got interrupted, how would you feel?" He pressed his forefinger to his lips and shook his head. "Between us."
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 4, 2018 14:48:54 GMT -5
The girl smirked, and snapped her fingers. The scenery flickered around the group, in everyone but Neku. She glared at the group before moving away.
"Fine enough" she sentenced, "Hopefully, you notice. And if not, then... Tough luck."
---
Neku simply shrugged at Conrí's question, finding no way to answer. But he did hide his embarrasement quite well, since Conrí had mentioned Neku in a situation where he'd be dating Mei. He was distracted by something, and, when he turned to look back at the group, he looked confused.
"The hell...? Where'd they go?" he asked, looking around, yet not seeing them, "Urgh... So much for showin' them around..."
Sighing, Neku made his leave to the Eastern Shore, where he knew would find a friend or two chatting or training. As he did, he began to wonder where the others had gone to in such short notice.
But they were in front of him. Neku just wasn't able to see them anymore -inside of an Illusion, the group were no longer a reality for him. A faked reality, where only those inside were truly aware. And it wasn't easy to get out.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 4, 2018 16:09:44 GMT -5
Lucia noticed the flicker, but didn't realize what happened at first. All she knew was that the woman had walked away again as she turned to face the rest. "Looks like she's leaving again. Good call sis."
Jennifer didn't answer at first. She was too busy trying to get Neku's attention as he complained about them disappearing and left. "Neku? Hey, Neku!" Confused, she turned back to the others. "Why are we invisible right now?"
It was then that Lucia connected the dots at last. "That flicker... She must have done something to us before she left!" Jason glanced around as the crowd dispersed before glancing over at Conrí and Fenrir. "If she did this then she's probably the only one that can undo it too. Can you two track her?"
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Post by Conrí on Sept 4, 2018 16:37:39 GMT -5
Conrí's Void just kind of shattered. "Damn it." He quickly realised the girl was gone, but, so was Neku, according to Jen and his eyes. The wolf boy looked down a little bit. "Called it too late."
We're in a slightly different reality.
Really, Sherlock? The would be king snorted. "I can't believe I thought I was into girleens. The first two I meet who remind me of each other, and both cause me trouble in similar ways," he muttered under his breath. He winked at Jason and then snapped his fingers. "Ma--Lucia," he stammered, "Think back to the Dive we did. The memory distortion. Doesn't this feel kind of similar?" He asked this, because the wolf boy wanted everyone thinking their way out of this.
Conrí heard Jason's question, and slyly shot back, "I didn't realise I was the subservient one in this, a stór." As he said this, he laughed and cracked his knuckles. "On a more serious note, I wasn't able to catch her scent, but, Fen seems to be able to be somewhat outside of this, so, maybe."
The wolf yawned, scratched behind his ear, and shook himself, before giving everyone a haughty look. She seemed to vanish, but, I think she might be going after Neku. There's a weird energy coming from there.
Where? Lead us, le do thoil. "I asked Fen to lead us, please," he reiterated to the wolf, who sighed and started walking in front of everyone.
Conrí waited to start walking until he was near Jason. "I'm worried," he felt the freak out from before he entered that Corridor, and continued, "I...I'm scared that ye're going to die on me..." The wolf boy whispered, hung his head and blushed.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 4, 2018 18:16:29 GMT -5
The girl was now nowhere to be felt, nor seen. She'd erased all kind of trace that would let them track her. For now.
Their surroundings looked similar to the original place, but it was clear that it wasn't the real island. People came back and forth around them, some of them even going through them, as if they were ghosts -they were unable to reach to them, no matter how hard they tried.
Fast-approaching footsteps were soon heard, loudly. The person running towards them was, much like them, within the Illusion. He took a deep breath, a bit tired after who knows what, and then raised his view towards them.
"You lot... You were with Neku and Tori, right?" he asked, in a hurried voice, "W-Why are you...here?"
There was no mistaking him at first glance -it was the same man that they'd been encountering before, and who kept trying to start a fight against Tori. Her father.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 4, 2018 19:24:32 GMT -5
The three dismissed their armor and deactivated their weapons as it quickly became apparent that nothing in the real world could interact with them. Jennifer quickly grew bored of trying to boop people on the nose without going through them as Jason looked at Conrí with sympathy. "Don't worry, lilulf. We're all pretty difficult to kill. And out of the three of us I'm the only one that hasn't come close in the last two months anyhow."
Jennifer overheard that and turned to give him a jokingly stern look. "You're just lucky you were knocked unconscious by that first of the seven we fought! You couldn't have done any better than us in that one!."
"You didn't do that great yourself, miss "my torso was missing.""
"Hey, that was because Lucia tried to fight a god with a pool full of ice!"
"Don't bring me into this! I'm the one that healed both of you and made her run away!"
It was only at this point that the three noticed Tori's father approaching, somehow able to see them. Instantly Jen activated her Aura Celica again, only to be met with an arm block by Lucia. The purple haired Master took a few steps forward before answering the man, fairly certain she had found another piece to the puzzle. "We're stuck here thanks to a woman with silver hair and red eyes. Let me guess, you've been here for a long longer than we have, right?"
If her guess was correct, the "father" hunting Tori down was a copy.
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Post by Conrí on Sept 4, 2018 19:51:02 GMT -5
Conrí scowled. "Tch. Fen lost the energy. This situation would be why the druids drilled it into our wee pup brains to not mess with the spirits outside of Tir Tairngire." He sighed, deciding to keep Fenrir with them, in case something happened to change. The wolf boy's fingers unconsciously brushed against Jason's, because of his words about being hard to kill. "Thank you, a stór."
He smiled a bit, and then caught a familiar scent. "That damn bastard's here. Treating a girleen like that...he's about to get a king's judgement." Conrí gave the man, who seemed utterly confused, a cold glare. Fenrir growled at the wolf boy, and Lucia blocked them with her arm. The would be king held his breath, and the scowl on his face deepened. He folded his arms over his chest, and, he waited to hear the man's response. Pull any shite, and I'll beat your arse. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe. He wondered if Jason would reassure him or reprimand him this time.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 5, 2018 6:34:12 GMT -5
The man let out a relieved sigh, seeing that he wasn't met with a fight, but rather with reason. He had to admit it -he wasn't expecting such a calm approach from their part, after what they'd seen.
"Thank goodness you noticed..." he said, relieved, "I thought you'd just confront me, head on... Well..." he looked at Jen and Conrí, "Some of you did have that idea, in any case..."
"I've been here a long time. 7 years, if I remember correctly" he answered Lucía's question, "Haa... Saying that really takes me down..." he addmitted, and then raised his head, "I'm not sure if you've heard my name, but... It's better if I just introduce myself. I'm Hiroshi. It's nice to meet you... In a... more pleasant way, that is" he said, smiling uneasily.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 5, 2018 13:33:41 GMT -5
As Lucia's guess was confirmed Jen looked between her and Hiroshi in shock. "Wait, what?! So the you we've been calling an ass and want to pound into the ground isn't even you?" She paused for a moment before shrugging, deactivating her weapons, and sitting on a nearby bench. "Well that explains a few things."
Jason moved behind Conrí while all this was going on, using some of his old assassin training to hide himself as much as possible. Once he was directly behind the wolf-king he grinned and quickly wrapped his arms around him in a surprise hug. "Looks like you'll have to reserve your judgement for whatever looks like him, lilulf." Jen's eye twitched as she tried her hardest to restrain herself.
Meanwhile Lucia nodded in satisfaction as her theory proved true. "I suppose you know our names then. Usually I'd say nice to meet you, but we really need to find a way out of here before you're lookalike hurts Tori. Got any ideas?"
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Post by Conrí on Sept 5, 2018 13:53:31 GMT -5
Conrí's ears twitched as Jason shuffled behind him. As he heard Hiroshi speaking, he hung his head.
At least you know when you've screwed up.
Yeah... The wolf boy's entire body instinctively tensed when he realised Jason had stopped moving. He fought to keep his hands at his side, but, he had an urge to cover his backside. Instead, the would be king closed his eyes, which snapped open again when he felt Jason's arms around him. He felt a heat come to his cheeks, and muttered a low curse, because he knew he was blushing, and, given the look on Jen's face, she was going to have a lot to say to them. He relaxed his body into Jason's embrace a little. "Oh, that lookalike of a boyeen is gonna get what's coming to him, for sure, a stór."
As Lucia asked if Hiroshi knew a way out of this, something still wasn't sitting well with Conrí. "Guys, if ye decide to follow Hiroshi somewhere, that's fine, just, don't disturb me for a little while. Something about this place is making me feel off." The wolf boy walked over to Fen. The wolf looked down at him. "Fen, follow them. Break me out of it if there's trouble." He saw the wolf nod and stroked his nose a bit before he boosted himself up onto the wolf. "I'm going to meditate. This place is too similar to something I saw in my Dive. It feels like that one memory that was screwed up from before, and, I'm willing to wager that what we're in is the non-screwed up 'memory'." He focused on Jason for a few moments, and then closed his eyes and started to breathe, wondering if he would actually reach his heart again, or, some kind of answer.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 5, 2018 15:35:33 GMT -5
Hiroshi looked calm, and looked at the group, in particular at Jen. It was somewhat amusing to see her confused yet able to understand at the same time. He chuckled a bit, seeing that some of his explanation was well recieved. After so long, it was somewhat amusing to explain something that even he wasn't really sure of.
"My 'look-a-like' won't be hurting Tori" he said, looking at Lucia, "She's in a run, right? Somewhere where he, and that silver-haired girl, can't find her. Which..." he sighed, "Kinda brings us to a problem. You see... There's only one way to get out of an Illusion, and you need a Spirit's help. Doesn't need to be the Illusion's creator, so you're fine there -no need to try and find that girl for now. However... The only one who could help is Tori. And that's where the problem lies..."
He looked away, a bit uneasy before he continued. However, before he did, he noticed Conrí, and managed to hear his determination about remaining there and meditate while the others were to continue, which caught his immediate attention.
"I'd recommend against that" he said, stern, "Not only would you be locking yourself in, but you'd leave the Illusion's creator and open chance for them to use you. And, trust me, you don't want that, kid."
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Post by Ziya on Sept 5, 2018 17:00:05 GMT -5
Jason did the first thing he could think of to keep Conrí from apparently making things worse. Unfortunately for the wolf-king's dignity, that thing was scooping him clean off of Fenrir and kissing him. Jennifer finally couldn't contain herself anymore at that. "Hey, less snogging more thinking you two!" Jason pulled away from Conrí to give her a raised eyebrow. "Oh? Bold words coming from the reigning champion of lasting in bed. What's the record now, three and a half days?" Her face went beet red, but Jen did stop teasing them at least.
Sighing, Lucia pointedly ignored the others and continued speaking to Hiroshi. "So sleeping or going into a trance locks you here? How are we going to find Tori then? Can we even see her in this place?" If they could this would be much easier, but if not...
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